Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 33,889 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 25.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 62.9% | 11.2% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $239,865 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 21.3% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 33.7 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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