Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 33,889 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 70.3% | 61.9% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 16.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Pueblo +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Pueblo +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.2% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | Pueblo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 21.3% | Pueblo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 35.6 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.7 min | Pueblo + |
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 512 in Pueblo. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pueblo, COLos Angeles, CA vs Pueblo, COChicago, IL vs Pueblo, COHouston, TX vs Pueblo, COPhoenix, AZ vs Pueblo, COPhiladelphia, PA vs Pueblo, CO