Pompano Beach FL 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)
Pompano Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 112,212
- Median HH Income$63,832
- Median Home Price$353,345
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+31.1%
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
Pompano Beach
112,212
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pompano Beach
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Pompano Beach
41.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Pompano Beach
32.3%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Pompano Beach
48.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Pompano Beach
28.3%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Pompano Beach
1.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Pompano Beach
24.9%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Pompano Beach
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,212 | 33,889 | Pompano Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 32.3% | 20.6% | Pompano Beach + |
| White | 48.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 28.3% | 11.2% | Pompano Beach + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 24.9% | 16.4% | Pompano Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pompano Beach
$63,832
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Pompano Beach
$39,377
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pompano Beach
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Pompano Beach
8.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Pompano Beach
15.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pompano Beach
31.1%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,832 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,377 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.1% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pompano Beach
$353,345
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Pompano Beach
53.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $353,345 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pompano Beach
324
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pompano Beach
1453
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Pompano Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Pompano Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pompano Beach
31.3%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pompano Beach
13.9%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pompano Beach
17.2%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pompano Beach
18.4%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pompano Beach
13.7%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pompano Beach
14.4%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.3% | 40.2% | Pompano Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Pompano Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 21.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.8% | Pompano Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pompano Beach
75.9°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pompano Beach
60.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.9°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pompano Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pompano Beach
75.0%
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pompano Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pompano Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pompano Beach
29.9 min
Pompano Beach +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Pompano Beach, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 33.7 min | Pompano Beach + |
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, Pompano Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Pompano Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pompano Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.3%.
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