Savannah 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)
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
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
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 33,889 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.6 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 37.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 52.2% | 11.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.2% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.4% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 21.3% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Savannah, 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
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.7 min | Savannah + |
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 392 in Savannah. 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, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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