Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Waukegan, IL
🏆 Waukegan leads 12 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Waukegan
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
117⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,435
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.3%)
Waukegan, IL
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($164,400 vs $321,800)
39% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (5.3%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 98°F
Rent averages $95/mo less ($1,132 vs $1,227)
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (445.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 43" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Summer Heat
16.0°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 81.7°F
Waukegan
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Waukegan
Median Income
$3,076
$66,077 vs $63,001/yr
Waukegan
Violent Crime
39% lower
445.2 vs 735.5 per 100k
Waukegan
Median Home Value
$157k less
$164,400 vs $321,800
Waukegan
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
5.3% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $164,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 | $1,132 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $66,077 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% ✓ Higher | 21.5% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Waukegan CUSD 60 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 29.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 81.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 35.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 43.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 89,435 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 25.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Waukegan's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Waukegan is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Waukegan leads 12 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 11 and Waukegan wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fresno to Waukegan or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $164,400 median home), income ($63,001 vs $66,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Waukegan, IL are about 1,732 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.