Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 33,889 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 20.6% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 10.9% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 11.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 16.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $97,263 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 65.5% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 40.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 21.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.3% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 33.7 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Elk Grove, CA vs New York, NYElk Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA vs Houston, TXElk Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZElk Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA