2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Waukegan, IL vs Champaign, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Champaign older or younger than people in Waukegan?
- The Median Age in Champaign is 7.3 years younger than in Waukegan.

Are housing costs cheaper in Champaign or Waukegan?
- Champaign housing costs are 4.7% more expensive than Waukegan housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Champaign or Waukegan?
- The average commute for residents of Champaign is 10.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Waukegan.

Things to do in Waukegan?
Waukegan, Illinois sits on Lake Michigan’s banks boasting 30 miles worth of sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing or playing beach volleyball along with other activities such as biking trails around Bowen Park or fly fishing in Mill Creek.

Things to do in Champaign?
Champaign, Illinois is a thriving university town located approximately two hours south of Chicago. It has plenty of recreational facilities ranging from libraries to state parks offering access to Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or Homer Lake.

 Waukegan, ILChampaign, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock88,343329,725,481
 Median Income$58,844  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$181,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time26.17  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Waukegan    3 Reviews

Great people, beautifully diverse. All live and work together to provide the best for all residents. Lake County College is completing a 40 million dollar building  More

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Over 12 years ago

We're looking for a moderate climate. Waukegan is on Lake Michigan and could have a dynamic vibrant downtown but it doesn't. Great master plan if somehow Waukegan can  More

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Over 17 years ago

I have been living in north east waukegan for 12 years and I am excited by the recent surge of growth in the downtown area. Thanks to the Genesee theater, there are  More

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Reviews for Champaign    13 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

Pros - close to Chicago, has Parkland community college and lots of places to eat. There is a train station downtown that is really good. Beautiful deciduous trees and  More

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Over 8 years ago

I wonderful city with great  More

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Actually it's barely a nice place to live. The pros: Not terribly expensive - at one point the least expensive place to live in the country among modest sized  More

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