Sandy Springs 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)
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
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
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 33,889 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.6 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 20.0% | 11.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $97,263 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $49,019 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 46.1% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 40.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 21.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 14.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, 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.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy Springs, 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
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 33.7 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, 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 Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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