Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 33,889 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 20.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 28.8% | 11.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 16.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $49,019 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 40.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 21.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 33.7 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
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, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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