Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Renton
48.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 33,889 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.6 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 20.6% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 2.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 11.3% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $97,263 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $49,019 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.3% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 46.1% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 40.2% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.4% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 21.3% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.3% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 33.7 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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