Sunnyvale 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)
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
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
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 33,889 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 20.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 1.5% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 11.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 16.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $97,263 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $49,019 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 5.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 46.1% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 40.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 16.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 21.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 14.3% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 33.7 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sunnyvale, CALos Angeles, CA vs Sunnyvale, CAChicago, IL vs Sunnyvale, CAHouston, TX vs Sunnyvale, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Sunnyvale, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Sunnyvale, CA