Tallahassee 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 33,889 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 37.6 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 50.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 35.7% | 11.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 46.1% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 40.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 21.3% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.7 min | Tallahassee + |
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, Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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