Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 33,889 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 39.8% | 11.2% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 40.2% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 21.3% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 33.7 min | Norfolk + |
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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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