Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 33,889 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 20.4% | 11.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $239,865 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 21.3% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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