Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 33,889 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.6 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 69.8% | 61.9% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 16.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.4% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 21.3% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.3% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 33.7 min | Salem + |
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 355 in Salem. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Salem, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Salem, ORChicago, IL vs Salem, ORHouston, TX vs Salem, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Salem, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Salem, OR