Odessa 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)
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Odessa
51.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 33,889 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 37.6 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 51.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 6.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 16.4% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Odessa, 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
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Waukegan
21.3%
Waukegan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.2% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 21.3% | Waukegan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 35.6 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.7 min | Odessa + |
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 Odessa. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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