Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 33,889 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 76.7% | 61.9% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $68,110 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 344 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1842 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 40.2% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 21.3% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 33.7 min | Manchester + |
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, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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