Fort Worth TX 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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 Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 33,889 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.6 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 47.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 19.5% | 11.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 16.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 40.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 21.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.3% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 33.7 min | Fort Worth + |
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 442 in Fort Worth. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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