New York 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
New York
35.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 33,889 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 20.6% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 22.7% | 11.2% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 11.3% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 16.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $49,019 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 40.2% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.9% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 21.3% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
New York +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 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 New York. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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