Omaha NE 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)
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
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
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 33,889 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.6 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 68.8% | 61.9% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.2% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 40.2% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.4% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.9% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 21.3% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 35.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.7 min | Omaha + |
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, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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