Waukegan IL vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 10.7% | Waukegan + |
| White | 61.9% | 48.7% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 11.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 2.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $57,673 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $35,074 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 17.9% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 37.2% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $419,326 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 54.6% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.4% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.5% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | 63.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 58.4 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 in Wilmington. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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