Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Pasadena +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 33,889 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 20.6% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 2.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 11.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $97,263 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $49,019 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.3% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 46.1% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 40.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 21.3% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.3% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 35.6 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 33.7 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pasadena, CALos Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, CAChicago, IL vs Pasadena, CAHouston, TX vs Pasadena, CAPasadena, CA vs Phoenix, AZPasadena, CA vs Philadelphia, PA