Waukegan IL vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 8.2% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.9% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 11.2% | 1.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 4.7% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Westminster
7.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $96,145 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 7.0% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 44.0% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $528,447 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 63.7% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.7% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
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, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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