Waukegan IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 61.9% | 58.0% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 11.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 6.9% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $67,544 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $35,825 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 19.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $435,532 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 42.4% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.1% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | 47.9°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 48.1 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Waukegan, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Waukegan, ILChicago, IL vs Waukegan, ILHouston, TX vs Waukegan, ILPhoenix, AZ vs Waukegan, ILPhiladelphia, PA vs Waukegan, IL