Hialeah 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)
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
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
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 33,889 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 20.6% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 1.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 16.4% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.3% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Waukegan
21.3%
Waukegan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 40.2% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.9% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 21.3% | Waukegan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.8% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Hialeah +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 33.7 min | Hialeah + |
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, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Hialeah, FL vs New York, NYHialeah, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hialeah, FLHialeah, FL vs Houston, TXHialeah, FL vs Phoenix, AZHialeah, FL vs Philadelphia, PA