Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 33,889 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.6 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 53.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 16.2% | 11.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 11.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $68,110 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 344 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 33.7 min | Saint Paul + |
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, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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