City Comparison
Waukegan vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waukegan
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Bloomington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waukegan's average rent is
29% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Waukegan | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,424 | $1,100 | +29% |
| Groceries | $400 | $685 | -42% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $90 | $300 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $120 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,324 | $2,596 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waukegan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Waukegan | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,394 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,124 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $71,919 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waukegan runs warmer on average — a 49.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waukegan comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 28.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waukegan | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Waukegan.
Waukegan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waukegan | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waukegan is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waukegan | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 87,940 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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