Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Waukegan, IL
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 West Palm Beach leads 12 of 23 categories
Waukegan
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
117⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,435
West Palm Beach
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,044
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High
Population
117,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Waukegan, IL
Pros
Homes cost $160k less ($164,400 vs $324,800)
Rent averages $482/mo less ($1,132 vs $1,614)
23% less violent crime than West Palm Beach
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.3%)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than West Palm Beach
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 90°F
Cons
Violent crime (445.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 43" of snow per year
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $324,800
Higher rents — median is $1,614/mo
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Waukegan
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Waukegan
Median Income
$2,033
$66,077 vs $64,044/yr
Waukegan
Violent Crime
23% lower
445.2 vs 575.8 per 100k
Waukegan
Median Home Value
$160k less
$164,400 vs $324,800
Waukegan
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.3% vs 6.2% unemployment
West Palm Beach
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 81.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $164,400 ✓ Lower | $324,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,132 ✓ Lower | $1,614⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,077 ✓ Higher | $64,044 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.7% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.5% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.7% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Waukegan CUSD 60 | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 29.8°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.7°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.3" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 43.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,435 | 117,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 49.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Waukegan's cost of living index is 102.6 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Waukegan is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Palm Beach leads 12 of 23 categories. Waukegan wins 11 and West Palm Beach wins 12. 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 Waukegan to West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($164,400 vs $324,800 median home), income ($66,077 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Waukegan, IL and West Palm Beach, FL are about 1,165 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.