Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Waukegan, IL
VS
Yakima, WA
🏆 Waukegan leads 12 of 23 categories
Waukegan
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
117⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,435
Yakima
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,734
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
96,764 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Waukegan, IL
Pros
Homes cost $79k less ($164,400 vs $243,300)
18% less violent crime than Yakima
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (5.3%)
Households earn $10,343 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 88°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (445.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 43" of snow per year
Yakima, WA
Pros
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Rent averages $118/mo less ($1,014 vs $1,132)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 30°F
Cons
Violent crime (544.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Waukegan by $10,343/yr
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 5.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Waukegan
Median Income
$10,343
$66,077 vs $55,734/yr
Waukegan
Violent Crime
18% lower
445.2 vs 544.3 per 100k
Waukegan
Median Home Value
$79k less
$164,400 vs $243,300
Waukegan
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
5.3% vs 8.1% unemployment
Yakima
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 101.6 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Yakima
Summer Heat
6.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 81.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | Yakima, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 101.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $164,400 ✓ Lower | $243,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,132 | $1,014 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,077 ✓ Higher | $55,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 17.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.7% ✓ Higher | 5.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.5% ✓ Higher | 19.3% |
| High School or Higher | 77.7% ✓ Higher | 77.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Waukegan CUSD 60 | Yakima School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 29.8°F | 39.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.7°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.3" | 8.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 43.4" | 20.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,435 | 96,764 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.5 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 53.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.0% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Waukegan's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Yakima's 101.6 (US average = 100).
Yakima is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Waukegan leads 12 of 23 categories. Waukegan wins 12 and Yakima wins 11. 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 Yakima or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($164,400 vs $243,300 median home), income ($66,077 vs $55,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Waukegan, IL and Yakima, WA are about 1,625 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.