Portland OR 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
642,715
Portland +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 33,889 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 70.1% | 61.9% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $49,019 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 46.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 40.2% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 21.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.3% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 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, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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