Waukegan IL vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 7.2% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.9% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 11.2% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 2.7% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $58,568 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $31,987 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 17.4% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 25.0% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 57.0% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wichita Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 16.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | 63.4°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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