Waukegan IL vs West Covina CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waukegan
33,889
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waukegan
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Waukegan
20.6%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Waukegan
11.3%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Waukegan
16.4%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Waukegan
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,889 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 40.1 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 20.6% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 61.9% | 20.0% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 11.2% | 4.1% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 11.3% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waukegan
$97,263
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waukegan
$68,110
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
West Covina
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,263 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,019 | $38,100 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 9.7% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.8% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $239,865 | $851,613 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% | 60.8% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
40.2%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.4%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waukegan
16.9%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
21.3%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waukegan
14.3%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.3% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
47.8°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waukegan
35.6 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waukegan
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Waukegan, IL | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 36.1 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 West Covina. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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