Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 33,889 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 72.2% | 61.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $239,865 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 40.2% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 21.3% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 33.7 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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