Portland ME 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)
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 33,889 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 80.1% | 61.9% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $49,019 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 46.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 344 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1842 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 40.2% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 21.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.3% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 47.8°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 33.7 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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