City Comparison
Orland Park vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orland Park
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 Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orland Park's average rent is
37% higher than Waukegan's.
| Metric | Orland Park | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,424 | +37% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,925 | $2,324 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orland Park offers 43% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orland Park is estimated at
$65,000 vs $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Orland Park | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Waukegan comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 1.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orland Park | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 29.60 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waukegan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
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 | Orland Park | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waukegan is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Orland Park is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Orland Park | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,805 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
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.
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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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