Waco TX 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)
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Waco
54.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 33,889 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.6 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 54.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 20.4% | 11.2% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 16.4% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $239,865 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.2% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 21.3% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 33.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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