Huntington WV 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)
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
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
Huntington
46,189
Huntington +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 33,889 | Huntington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.6 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 85.0% | 61.9% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $239,865 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 33.7 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
Compare More Cities
Huntington, WV vs New York, NYHuntington, WV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntington, WVHouston, TX vs Huntington, WVHuntington, WV vs Phoenix, AZHuntington, WV vs Philadelphia, PA