Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 33,889 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.6 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 53.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 28.1% | 11.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $239,865 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.7 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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