Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 33,889 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $97,263 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,019 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 46.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 65.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 16.9% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 21.3% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 35.6 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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