Mount Vernon NY 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)
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Mount Vernon
72,528
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 33,889 | Mount Vernon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 20.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 60.4% | 11.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 16.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 40.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 16.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 21.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.3% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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