Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 33,889 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.6 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 56.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 23.4% | 11.2% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $239,865 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 40.2% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 21.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 35.6 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 33.7 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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