Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 33,889 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.6 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 20.6% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.2% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 11.3% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $49,019 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 46.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 40.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.4% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 21.3% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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