Torrance 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)
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
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
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 33,889 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.6 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 20.6% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 6.1% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 11.3% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 16.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $97,263 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Torrance, 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
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 40.2% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.9% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 21.3% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.8% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.3% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | 35.6 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 Torrance. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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