Springfield, IL 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.
Springfield
79.7
#112 nationally
Waukegan
74.8
#557 nationally
Waukegan leads in crime level (12.2 vs 24.7). Springfield leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 26.9 min). Waukegan leads in walk score (49 vs 38).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.7 (#112) | 74.8 (#557) |
| Population | 112,544 | 87,642 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $174,630 | $249,468 |
| Median Household Income | $62,419 | $66,077 |
| Average Commute | 17.6 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 49 |
| Crime Level | 24.7 | 12.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.0 | D+20.8 |
C+
79.7 Score
Springfield, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$174,630
Population
112,544
Crime
High
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Springfield, IL →
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 Springfield for: