New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 33,889 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.6 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 30.6% | 11.2% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 16.4% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 344 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1842 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.2% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.4% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 21.3% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.3% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 33.7 min | New Haven + |
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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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