Norwalk 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 33,889 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.6 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 20.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 4.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 11.3% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 16.4% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $97,263 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 65.5% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Norwalk, 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
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 40.2% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.9% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 21.3% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.3% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Norwalk, 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 33.7 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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