Syracuse NY 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)
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
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
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 33,889 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.6 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 51.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 27.6% | 11.2% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $239,865 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 33.7 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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