Tempe 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 33,889 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 37.6 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 60.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 7.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 16.4% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 46.1% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tempe, 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
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 40.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 14.4% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.9% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 21.3% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.3% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 35.6 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 33.7 min | Tempe + |
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 Tempe. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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