Killeen TX 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)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
Killeen
45,598
Killeen +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 33,889 | Killeen + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 81.5% | 61.9% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $97,263 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $49,019 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.3% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 5.8% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 46.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $239,865 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 65.5% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 21.3% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 35.6 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Killeen +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 33.7 min | Killeen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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