Bakersfield CA vs Waukegan IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 33,889 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.6 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 46.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 6.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 16.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 21.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 35.6 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.7 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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