City Comparison
Waukegan vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waukegan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waukegan
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Waukegan | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,424 | $1,450 | -2% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,324 | $2,570 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waukegan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waukegan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Waukegan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,394 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,124 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $71,919 | $59,646 |
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waukegan is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass 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 | Waukegan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 87,940 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.60% |
| 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.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
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
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Waukegan and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator