Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 33,889 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 37.6 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 78.6% | 61.9% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 16.4% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 344 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 40.2% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.4% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 21.3% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.8% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 14.3% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 35.6 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.7 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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