Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 33,889 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.6 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 20.6% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 8.5% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 11.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 16.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 40.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 21.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 35.6 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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 Los Angeles. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX