City Comparison
Naperville vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
37% higher than Waukegan's.
| Metric | Naperville | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,424 | +37% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,324 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Naperville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Naperville | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 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 Naperville.
| Metric | Naperville | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Waukegan.
From a growth perspective, Naperville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Naperville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Naperville | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
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.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
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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