Joliet IL 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)
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 33,889 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.6 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 52.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 17.0% | 11.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 16.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Waukegan
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 65.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Waukegan
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Waukegan
1842
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.4% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 21.3% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 33.7 min | Joliet + |
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 344 in Joliet. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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