Pittsburgh 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 33,889 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.6 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 63.7% | 61.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 11.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 46.1% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 33.7 min | Pittsburgh + |
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, Pittsburgh 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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