Independence, KY vs Waukegan, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Independence
77
#288 nationally
Waukegan
74.8
#557 nationally
Independence leads in crime level (0.7 vs 12.2). Waukegan leads in walk score (49 vs 11). Independence leads in median household income ($92,355 vs $66,077).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Independence, KY | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77 (#288) | 74.8 (#557) |
| Population | 29,503 | 87,642 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $331,613 | $249,468 |
| Median Household Income | $92,355 | $66,077 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 11 | 49 |
| Crime Level | 0.7 | 12.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.7 | D+20.8 |
C+
77 Score
Independence, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$331,613
Population
29,503
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
Southeast
View Independence, KY →
C
74.8 Score
Waukegan, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$249,468
Population
87,642
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
49
Midwest
View Waukegan, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Independence for: