Roswell GA 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)
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Roswell
92,577
Roswell +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 33,889 | Roswell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 65.0% | 61.9% | Roswell + |
| Black | 11.1% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 16.4% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $97,263 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $49,019 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 46.1% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 65.5% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 40.2% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.4% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.9% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 21.3% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.7 min | Roswell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. 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, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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