San Diego 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 33,889 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 37.6 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 20.6% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 5.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 11.3% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.4% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $97,263 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $49,019 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 46.1% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 40.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.4% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 21.3% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 35.6 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 33.7 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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