Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 33,889 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 84.0% | 61.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 21.3% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | 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.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.7 min | Johnson City + |
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 639 in Johnson City. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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