South Bend IN 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)
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
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
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
South Bend
54.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 33,889 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.6 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 54.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 24.4% | 11.2% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 16.4% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $239,865 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 40.2% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 21.3% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.7 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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