Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 33,889 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 41.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 37.5% | 11.2% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.4% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.2% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.4% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 21.3% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 35.6 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.7 min | Rochester + |
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 434 in Rochester. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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