Rancho Cucamonga 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 33,889 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 20.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 8.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 11.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 16.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $97,263 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 40.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 21.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 Rancho Cucamonga. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rancho Cucamonga, CALos Angeles, CA vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAChicago, IL vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAHouston, TX vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Rancho Cucamonga, CA