Shreveport LA 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)
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 33,889 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 56.1% | 11.2% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $239,865 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.8% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 33.7 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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