Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Waukegan
37.6
Tie
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 33,889 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.6 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 20.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 17.3% | 11.2% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 11.3% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 16.4% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.2% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 21.3% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 35.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 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 Richmond. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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