Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Plymouth +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 33,889 | Plymouth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 74.8% | 61.9% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.0% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $97,263 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $49,019 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $68,110 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 4.3% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 5.8% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 46.1% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 65.5% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 344 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 40.2% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 14.4% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 16.9% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 21.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.3% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 33.7 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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