Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 33,889 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.6 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 69.7% | 61.9% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 16.4% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 40.2% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.9% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 21.3% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 35.6 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.7 min | Mesa + |
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 450 in Mesa. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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