Pomona 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)
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
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
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pomona
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Pomona
22.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Pomona
5.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Pomona
11.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Pomona
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 33,889 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.6 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 32.7% | 20.6% | Pomona + |
| White | 22.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 11.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 71.5% | 16.4% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pomona
$78,869
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Pomona
$28,131
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Pomona
6.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Pomona
14.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pomona
19.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,869 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,131 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pomona
$689,570
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Pomona
54.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $689,570 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pomona
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pomona, 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
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pomona
17.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pomona
15.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 40.2% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 21.3% | Pomona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
65.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 35.6 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pomona
34.5 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Pomona, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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 Pomona. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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