Garden 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)
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 33,889 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 20.6% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 1.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 11.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 16.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Garden 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
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 40.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.9% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 21.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Garden 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.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 33.7 min | Garden Grove + |
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 Garden Grove. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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