Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 33,889 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 57.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 25.8% | 11.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.2% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 21.3% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.7 min | Kansas 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 501 in Kansas City. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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