Lincoln NE 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)
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
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
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 33,889 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.6 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 80.9% | 61.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 40.2% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.9% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.3% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 35.6 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.7 min | Lincoln + |
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, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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