Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Newark, NJ
VS
Waukegan, IL
🏆 Waukegan leads 17 of 22 categories
Newark
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Waukegan
Illinois
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
117⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,435
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Newark, NJ
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $312,300
Median income trails Waukegan by $19,617/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Waukegan, IL
Pros
Homes cost $148k less ($164,400 vs $312,300)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.4 pts lower (5.3%)
Households earn $19,617 more per year on average
23% less violent crime than Newark
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Rent averages $141/mo less ($1,132 vs $1,273)
Cons
Violent crime (445.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 43" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Newark
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 81.7°F
Waukegan
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Waukegan
Median Income
$19,617
$66,077 vs $46,460/yr
Waukegan
Violent Crime
23% lower
445.2 vs 581.2 per 100k
Waukegan
Median Home Value
$148k less
$164,400 vs $312,300
Waukegan
Unemployment
5.4 pp lower
5.3% vs 10.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $312,300⚠ High | $164,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,273 | $1,132 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,460 | $66,077 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.7%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.6% | 5.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 129⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 153⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 93 | 77 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.0% | 21.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.7% | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Newark Public School District | Waukegan CUSD 60 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer | 29.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 81.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.4" | 35.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" ✓ Less | 43.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 307,355 ✓ Larger | 89,435 |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 23.9% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.1% | 25.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.9% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Newark's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Waukegan's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Waukegan is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Waukegan leads 17 of 22 categories. Newark wins 5 and Waukegan wins 17. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Newark to Waukegan or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($312,300 vs $164,400 median home), income ($46,460 vs $66,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Newark, NJ and Waukegan, IL are about 717 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.