St. Petersburg FL 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 33,889 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 66.2% | 61.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 11.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $49,019 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 40.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 21.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 33.7 min | St. Petersburg + |
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, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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