Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Providence
40.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 33,889 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 20.6% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 13.3% | 11.2% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 16.4% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 344 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1842 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.2% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.4% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 21.3% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 33.7 min | Providence + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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