Springfield MA 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
154,751
Springfield +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 33,889 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 40.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 20.0% | 11.2% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 16.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 40.2% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 21.3% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 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
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 33.7 min | Springfield + |
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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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