Oceanside 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)
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 33,889 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 20.6% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 4.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 16.4% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Oceanside, 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
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 40.2% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.3% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 35.6 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Oceanside +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 33.7 min | Oceanside + |
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 Oceanside. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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