Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 33,889 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 20.6% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 61.9% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 11.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 40.2% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.9% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 21.3% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.3% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 35.6 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 33.7 min | Glendale + |
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 Glendale. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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