Waukegan IL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
Westland
84,155
Westland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
Westland
9.2%
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 84,155 | Westland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.2 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 9.2% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.9% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 11.2% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 3.8% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 5.0% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $62,216 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $33,816 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 13.3% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 21.7% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 61.1% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 20.0% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.6% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.6% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. 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, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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