Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 33,889 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.6 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 46.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 39.4% | 11.2% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $239,865 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 21.3% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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