Peoria IL 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
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
11,626
Waukegan
33,889
Waukegan +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 33,889 | Waukegan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.6 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 4.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 16.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Waukegan
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $239,865 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 65.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Waukegan
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Waukegan
1842
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 21.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Peoria, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Peoria, ILChicago, IL vs Peoria, ILHouston, TX vs Peoria, ILPeoria, IL vs Phoenix, AZPeoria, IL vs Philadelphia, PA