Visalia 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)
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
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
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Visalia
36.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 33,889 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 37.6 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 17.1% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 16.4% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Visalia, 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
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 40.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.4% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 21.3% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | 35.6 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Visalia
41.6 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, 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 Visalia. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Visalia, CALos Angeles, CA vs Visalia, CAChicago, IL vs Visalia, CAHouston, TX vs Visalia, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Visalia, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Visalia, CA