Inglewood 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)
Inglewood, CA
California · Population: 90,669
- Median HH Income$78,709
- Median Home Price$761,870
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+21.1%
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
Inglewood
90,669
Inglewood +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Inglewood
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Inglewood
38.2
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Inglewood
25.3%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Inglewood
36.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Inglewood
3.4%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Inglewood
2.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Inglewood
68.9%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Inglewood
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,669 | 33,889 | Inglewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 25.3% | 20.6% | Inglewood + |
| White | 36.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 3.4% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 68.9% | 16.4% | Inglewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Inglewood
$78,709
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Inglewood
$35,231
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Inglewood
$77,230
Inglewood +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Inglewood
4.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Inglewood
11.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Inglewood
21.1%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,709 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,231 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Inglewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.1% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Inglewood
$761,870
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Inglewood
68.3%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $761,870 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.3% | 65.5% | Inglewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Inglewood, 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
Inglewood
32.6%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.5%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Inglewood
18.2%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.4%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.2%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
12.7%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.2% | Inglewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 21.3% | Inglewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | Inglewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.3% | Inglewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Inglewood, 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.)
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Inglewood +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Inglewood
75.0%
Inglewood +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Inglewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Inglewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Inglewood
24.0 min
Inglewood +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 33.7 min | Inglewood + |
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 Inglewood. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Inglewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Inglewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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