2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Waukesha, WI vs Waukegan, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Waukegan or is it cheaper to live in Waukesha?
- Waukegan is 9.6% less expensive than Waukesha.

Which city has more affordable housing, Waukegan or Waukesha?
- Waukegan housing costs are 40.3% less expensive than Waukesha housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Waukesha or is Health Care more affordable in Waukegan.
- Health related expenses are 4.3% less in Waukegan.
 Waukesha, WIWaukegan, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.0100
 Food & Groceries98.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.3100
 Housing97.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$181,800$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock86.9100
 Miscellaneous135.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Waukesha    7 Reviews

I lived in waukesha for 37 years. It's home, it's where I grew up but it's a bit of a dump. They're trying hard to make it nice but its just not that great of a place to  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

I lived in Waukesha in 2006 while on a contract position for a precast design company. I found Waukesha to be a very enjoyable place to live. It is a very place to live  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

Waukesha is a small city, 65K population, with the amenities of a larger town. Its access to library, daily shopping, mainline restaurant fare and outside activity is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Waukesha

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Waukegan


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.