Thornton CO 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)
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
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
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 33,889 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 63.5% | 61.9% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 16.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $97,263 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 65.5% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 40.2% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.4% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 21.3% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Thornton, CO | 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.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 33.7 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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