Warren MI 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)
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
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
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Warren
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Warren
37.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Warren
13.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Warren
60.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Warren
2.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Warren
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,128 | 33,889 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 60.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 20.9% | 11.2% | Warren + |
| Asian | 11.9% | 11.3% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 2.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Warren
$63,741
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Warren
$32,162
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Warren
$58,052
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Warren
7.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Warren
12.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Warren
20.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,741 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,162 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,632 | $239,865 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.0% | 65.5% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Warren
471
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Warren
1590
Warren +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Warren
39.1%
Warren +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Warren
18.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Warren
15.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Warren
18.0%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 40.2% | Warren + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.4% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 21.3% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Warren
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Warren
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Warren, MI | 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.)
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Warren
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Warren
26.9 min
Warren +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Warren, MI | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 33.7 min | Warren + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Warren. 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, Warren scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Warren, MILos Angeles, CA vs Warren, MIChicago, IL vs Warren, MIHouston, TX vs Warren, MIPhoenix, AZ vs Warren, MIPhiladelphia, PA vs Warren, MI