Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 33,889 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.6 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 50.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 4.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 16.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.4% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 21.3% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 35.6 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 33.7 min | Modesto + |
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 Modesto. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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