Lynn 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)
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynn
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Lynn
44.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Lynn
6.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Lynn
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,905 | 33,889 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.6 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 35.7% | 20.6% | Lynn + |
| White | 44.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 12.1% | 11.2% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 42.5% | 16.4% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynn
$74,715
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lynn
$35,083
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lynn
4.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lynn
13.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynn
23.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,715 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,083 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynn
$584,482
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Lynn
50.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $584,482 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynn
17.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynn
14.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.2% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.4% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 21.3% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynn
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynn
33.8 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lynn, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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, Lynn 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 Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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