Rockford IL 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)
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
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
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 33,889 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 55.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 21.8% | 11.2% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 16.4% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Waukegan
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $239,865 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Waukegan
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Waukegan
1842
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.3% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 33.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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