City Comparison
Waukegan vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waukegan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waukegan
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Waukegan | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,424 | $1,410 | +1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,324 | $2,451 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waukegan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Waukegan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,394 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,124 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $71,919 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Waukegan.
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 | Waukegan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Waukegan.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waukegan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 87,940 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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