Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Miami
34.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 33,889 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 20.6% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 13.7% | 11.2% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 16.4% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Waukegan
21.3%
Waukegan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 40.2% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.9% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 21.3% | Waukegan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 33.7 min | Miami + |
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, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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