Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- 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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 33,889 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.6 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 27.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 63.0% | 11.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $239,865 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 21.3% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.8% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.7 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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