Santa Ana 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)
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
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
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 33,889 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 20.6% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $97,263 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $49,019 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 46.1% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 40.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 21.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.3% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 35.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 33.7 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Santa Ana, CALos Angeles, CA vs Santa Ana, CAChicago, IL vs Santa Ana, CAHouston, TX vs Santa Ana, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Santa Ana, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Santa Ana, CA