Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 33,889 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.6 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 18.3% | 11.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $49,019 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $68,110 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 46.1% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 344 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 40.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 21.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.3% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 47.8°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 35.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 33.7 min | Minneapolis + |
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, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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