Surprise AZ 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 33,889 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 75.0% | 61.9% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 16.4% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 65.5% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 40.2% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.4% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.9% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 21.3% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.3% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 33.7 min | Surprise + |
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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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