Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 33,889 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.6 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 28.6% | 11.2% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $239,865 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.2% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 21.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 33.7 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Lafayette, LA vs New York, NYLafayette, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lafayette, LAHouston, TX vs Lafayette, LALafayette, LA vs Phoenix, AZLafayette, LA vs Philadelphia, PA