City Comparison
Elgin vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elgin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
16% higher than Waukegan's.
| Metric | Elgin | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,424 | +16% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,324 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elgin offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Elgin | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waukegan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
Waukegan 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 | Elgin | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elgin is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Waukegan.
From a growth perspective, Elgin 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 | Elgin | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Elgin and Waukegan.
Open Cost Calculator