Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Seattle
61.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 33,889 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.6 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 6.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 11.3% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $97,263 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $49,019 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 46.1% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 40.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.4% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.9% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 21.3% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 14.3% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 33.7 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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