Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 33,889 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 81.8% | 61.9% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $97,263 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $49,019 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 46.1% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 65.5% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 40.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 16.9% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 21.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.3% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 35.6 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 33.7 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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