Waukegan IL vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 10.0% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.9% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 11.2% | 9.7% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 4.9% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $63,072 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $35,958 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 15.9% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 30.9% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 58.4% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.7% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.4% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | 57.0°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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