Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 33,889 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 74.1% | 61.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 40.2% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 21.3% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 33.7 min | Lakeland + |
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, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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