Spokane Valley 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)
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
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
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Spokane Valley
37.6
Waukegan
37.6
Tie
Foreign Born
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 33,889 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.6 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 85.1% | 61.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,722 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,235 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,734 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
383
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
3409
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, 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
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 40.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 21.3% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.3% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | 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.)
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 33.7 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, 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 Spokane Valley. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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