Henderson NV 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)
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
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
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Henderson
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Henderson
42.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Henderson
14.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Henderson
6.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Henderson
9.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Henderson
18.3%
Henderson +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Henderson
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,523 | 33,889 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 64.7% | 61.9% | Henderson + |
| Black | 6.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 16.4% | Henderson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Henderson
$88,654
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Henderson
$62,696
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Henderson
6.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Henderson
8.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Henderson
36.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,654 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,141 | $49,019 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Henderson
$487,098
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,098 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 65.5% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Henderson
460
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Henderson
2417
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Henderson
17.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Henderson
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.9% | 40.2% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 21.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.3% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Henderson
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Henderson
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Henderson
75.0%
Henderson +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Henderson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Henderson
26.0 min
Henderson +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Henderson, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 33.7 min | Henderson + |
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 460 in Henderson. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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