Ruston, LA 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.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Waukegan
74.8
#557 nationally
Waukegan leads in median household income ($66,077 vs $32,877). Waukegan leads in walk score (49 vs 25). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 26.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 74.8 (#557) |
| Population | 22,233 | 87,642 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $249,468 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $66,077 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 49 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 12.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | D+20.8 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
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 →