Toledo OH 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)
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
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
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Toledo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Toledo
3.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Toledo
58.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Toledo
1.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Toledo
8.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Toledo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,461 | 33,889 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.6 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 58.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 28.7% | 11.2% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Toledo
$47,532
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Toledo
$27,407
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Toledo
$58,300
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Toledo
8.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Toledo
24.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Toledo
21.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $47,532 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,407 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Toledo
52.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $130,101 | $239,865 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Toledo
1866
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Toledo
15.7%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Toledo
20.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Toledo
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Toledo
19.9%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 40.2% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 21.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Toledo
50.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.4 in | 35.6 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Toledo
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 33.7 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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