Tuscaloosa AL 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)
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
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
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 33,889 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.2 | 37.6 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 49.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 5.2% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,536 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,324 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,461 | $239,865 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
400
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.4% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 21.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Tuscaloosa, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.7 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tuscaloosa, ALLos Angeles, CA vs Tuscaloosa, ALChicago, IL vs Tuscaloosa, ALHouston, TX vs Tuscaloosa, ALPhoenix, AZ vs Tuscaloosa, ALPhiladelphia, PA vs Tuscaloosa, AL