Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 33,889 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.6 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 63.5% | 61.9% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 16.4% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 40.2% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.4% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 21.3% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.3% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 35.6 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.7 min | Reno + |
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 460 in Reno. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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