Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 33,889 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.6 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 21.6% | 11.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 46.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 40.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 21.3% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.7 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville 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 Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA