Schenectady NY 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)
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
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
Schenectady
28,542
Waukegan
33,889
Waukegan +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 33,889 | Waukegan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 86.7% | 61.9% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $97,263 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $49,019 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 46.1% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 40.2% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.4% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | 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.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 33.7 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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