St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 33,889 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 45.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 43.1% | 11.2% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $239,865 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.4% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 21.3% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 33.7 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Louis, MOLos Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MOChicago, IL vs St. Louis, MOHouston, TX vs St. Louis, MOPhoenix, AZ vs St. Louis, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Louis, MO