Lowell MA 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)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 33,889 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.6 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 20.6% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 11.3% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.4% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 40.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 21.3% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 33.7 min | Lowell + |
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, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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