Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 33,889 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 20.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 22.9% | 11.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 16.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Waukegan
21.3%
Waukegan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.2% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 21.3% | Waukegan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.3% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.7 min | Houston + |
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 Houston. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX