Fontana 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)
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Fontana
56,358
Fontana +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 33,889 | Fontana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 20.6% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 1.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 11.3% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 16.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $97,263 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 65.5% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Fontana, 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
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fontana +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 40.2% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.4% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 21.3% | Fontana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Fontana, 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.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 33.7 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, 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 Fontana. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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