Las Vegas NV 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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 Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 33,889 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 20.6% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 11.9% | 11.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 16.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 40.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 21.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 35.6 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 33.7 min | Las Vegas + |
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 460 in Las Vegas. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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