Virginia Beach VA 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)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 33,889 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.6 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 18.9% | 11.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 40.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 21.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | 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.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 33.7 min | Virginia Beach + |
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, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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