Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 33,889 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.6 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 38.6% | 11.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 16.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $239,865 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 21.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 47.8°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 35.6 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 33.7 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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