Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 33,889 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.6 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 20.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 15.3% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 16.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $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 | 12.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Waukegan
21.3%
Waukegan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.2% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 21.3% | Waukegan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 33.7 min | Garland + |
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 Garland. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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