Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 33,889 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 73.0% | 61.9% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 46.1% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 40.2% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.9% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 21.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 47.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 33.7 min | Madison + |
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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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