Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 33,889 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.6 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 10.5% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 40.2% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 21.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 33.7 min | Tacoma + |
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 383 in Tacoma. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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