North Charleston SC 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)
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
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
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 33,889 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 42.2% | 11.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Waukegan
14.3%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 40.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 21.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | 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.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 33.7 min | North Charleston + |
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 398 in North Charleston. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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