City Comparison
Chicago vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waukegan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chicago
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Chicago.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chicago's average rent is
44% higher than Waukegan's.
| Metric | Chicago | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,424 | +44% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $230 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,324 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chicago offers 43% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Chicago delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chicago is estimated at
$60,000 vs $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Chicago | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $76,223 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Chicago sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chicago | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 19.00°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 28.50 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waukegan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Chicago.
Chicago scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chicago leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chicago | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chicago is the larger city
— approximately 30.3x the population of Waukegan.
From a growth perspective, Chicago 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 | Chicago | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,665,000 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chicago
Advantages
Extensive and reliable public transit network via the CTA 'L' trains and buses covering the entire city
World-class cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and world-renowned dining options
18 miles of continuous public lakefront trail and numerous sandy beaches along Lake Michigan
Significantly more affordable housing compared to coastal tech hubs like New York and San Francisco
Diverse and resilient economy anchored by multiple Fortune 500 headquarters and major financial institutions
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 28.5 inches annually
High property and sales taxes that contribute to a higher overall cost of living burden
Persistent violent crime challenges concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the south and west sides
Heavy traffic congestion on major expressways during peak morning and evening commuting hours
State pension obligations and local fiscal deficits that put pressure on municipal services and taxation
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.
Chicago
#531Illinois, USA
50.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
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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