Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 33,889 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.6 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 64.6% | 61.9% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 16.4% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $239,865 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.2% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 21.3% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.3% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 35.6 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 33.7 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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