Waukegan IL vs West Palm Beach FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 40.2 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 61.9% | 44.0% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 11.2% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 2.5% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $69,261 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $44,508 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 37.6% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $399,650 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 50.2% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
West Palm Beach
16.9%
West Palm Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 16.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | 75.4°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 62.3 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 25.0 min | West Palm 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, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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