Fishers IN 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)
Fishers, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$446,903
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
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
Fishers
266,235
Fishers +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fishers
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Fishers
35.0
Fishers +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Fishers
9.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Fishers
66.4%
Fishers +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Fishers
14.6%
Fishers +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Fishers
5.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Fishers
10.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Fishers
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 33,889 | Fishers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.6 | Fishers + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 66.4% | 61.9% | Fishers + |
| Black | 14.6% | 11.2% | Fishers + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fishers
$60,293
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Fishers
$32,884
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fishers
$58,697
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Fishers
5.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Fishers
15.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fishers
28.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fishers
$446,903
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Fishers
62.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $446,903 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fishers
370
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fishers
1719
Fishers +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Fishers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fishers
32.5%
Fishers +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fishers
8.9%
Fishers +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fishers
13.8%
Fishers +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fishers
4.8%
Fishers +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fishers
17.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fishers
9.2%
Fishers +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.5% | 40.2% | Fishers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.4% | Fishers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.9% | Fishers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.8% | 21.3% | Fishers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.3% | Fishers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fishers
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fishers
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fishers
10.1 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fishers
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fishers
22.8 min
Fishers +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Fishers, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 33.7 min | Fishers + |
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 370 in Fishers. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fishers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.5%.
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