Topeka KS 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)
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
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
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 33,889 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 71.0% | 61.9% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 16.4% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $239,865 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 40.2% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.4% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 21.3% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.8% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 33.7 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Topeka, KSLos Angeles, CA vs Topeka, KSChicago, IL vs Topeka, KSHouston, TX vs Topeka, KSPhoenix, AZ vs Topeka, KSPhiladelphia, PA vs Topeka, KS