Vallejo 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)
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Vallejo
68,141
Vallejo +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Vallejo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Vallejo
42.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Vallejo
17.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Vallejo
5.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Vallejo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,141 | 33,889 | Vallejo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 46.9% | 20.6% | Vallejo + |
| White | 17.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 55.9% | 11.3% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 16.4% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Vallejo
5.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Vallejo
7.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Vallejo
45.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,194 | $97,263 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,020 | $49,019 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Vallejo
$523,551
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $523,551 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.0% | 65.5% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vallejo
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vallejo
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Vallejo
16.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 40.2% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.4% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vallejo
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vallejo
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Vallejo, 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.)
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Vallejo
36.0 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.0 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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