Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 33,889 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 39.9% | 11.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $239,865 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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