Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 33,889 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.6 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 58.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 13.4% | 11.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 16.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $239,865 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 33.7 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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