Las Cruces NM 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)
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 33,889 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 54.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 2.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 40.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 21.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 33.7 min | Las Cruces + |
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 834 in Las Cruces. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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