Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Washington
39.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 33,889 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.6 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 43.3% | 11.2% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $97,263 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $49,019 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $68,110 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 46.1% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 40.2% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 14.4% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 16.9% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 21.3% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.3% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 33.7 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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