Eugene OR vs Waukegan IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 33,889 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.6 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 78.9% | 61.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.2% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 21.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 33.7 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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