Peoria AZ 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)
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
42.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Peoria
11.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Peoria
3.4%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Peoria
5.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 33,889 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 72.6% | 61.9% | Peoria + |
| Black | 3.4% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 16.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$93,403
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$45,831
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
35.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,403 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,831 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$488,428
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,428 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.5% | 65.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
450
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
2150
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 40.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.9% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 21.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.3% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | 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.)
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
31.2 min
Peoria +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 33.7 min | Peoria + |
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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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