Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 33,889 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 70.5% | 61.9% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 11.2% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Waukegan
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $239,865 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Waukegan
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Waukegan
1842
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 21.3% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 33.7 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. 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, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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