New Braunfels TX 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Waukegan
33,889
Waukegan +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 33,889 | Waukegan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 84.3% | 61.9% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 65.5% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 40.2% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 21.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.3% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 35.6 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 33.7 min | New Braunfels + |
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 442 in New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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