City Comparison
Champaign vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waukegan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Waukegan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
12% lower than Waukegan's.
| Metric | Champaign | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,424 | -12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,324 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Champaign offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Champaign delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Champaign | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Waukegan.
Champaign scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waukegan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Champaign | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Champaign is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Waukegan
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the broader Chicago metropolitan average per Zillow data.
Direct Metra rail connectivity provides convenient commuter access to downtown Chicago.
Extensive lakefront property, marina facilities, and natural dunes provide unique recreational opportunities.
Thriving local manufacturing and industrial base acts as a strong regional employment anchor.
Rich cultural arts scene anchored by historical venues like the Genesee Theatre.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates in Lake County can place a heavy burden on homeowners.
Certain areas experience higher-than-average crime rates relative to surrounding suburban pockets.
Local median household incomes trail behind wealthier neighboring municipalities in Lake County.
Poverty rates remain somewhat higher than the national average.
Varying industrial legacy sites require ongoing environmental remediation efforts.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Waukegan
#253Illinois, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,424
Avg Salary
$54,394
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
72
Business
70
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