đź“Š Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Waukegan and San Diego
Head-to-Head Analysis
Waukegan vs San Diego
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
đź“‹ The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Waukegan | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $72,841 | $105,780 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $248,000 | $930,000 |
| Price per SqFt | $184 | $662 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $1,231 | $2,248 |
| Housing Cost Index | 110.7 | 185.8 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 103.3 | 103.5 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.40 | $3.98 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 425.6 | 378.0 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.6% | 52% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 34 | 25 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
San Diego vs. Waukegan: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
Choosing between San Diego and Waukegan is like picking between a luxury convertible and a reliable used truck. Both get you where you need to go, but the experience—and the price tag—are worlds apart. Are you chasing that perfect, year-round sunshine, or are you looking for a place where your paycheck stretches way further? Let’s cut through the noise and break down this coastal giant versus the underdog of the Midwest.
The Vibe Check
San Diego is the epitome of the laid-back California dream. It’s a sprawling coastal metropolis where surfboards lean against fences and the culture revolves around the ocean. The vibe is active, health-conscious, and outdoorsy. You’re trading skyscrapers for sea breezes and rush hour traffic for sunset watching. It’s a city for people who want a career but live for the weekend—or even the weekday afternoon.
Waukegan, on the other hand, is a gritty, industrial heartland city on the western shore of Lake Michigan. It’s a working-class community with deep roots, offering a more grounded, no-frills lifestyle. It’s a place where community ties matter, and the cost of living doesn’t break the bank. The vibe is practical, resilient, and family-oriented, with easy access to the cultural and economic powerhouse of Chicago just 40 miles south.
Who is it for?
- San Diego: The professional who wants an active, outdoor lifestyle and is willing to pay a premium for perfect weather.
- Waukegan: The budget-conscious family or young professional seeking a low-cost entry point with big-city access.
The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Money Go Farther?
This is where the sticker shock sets in. San Diego is one of the most expensive cities in the country, while Waukegan offers some of the best bang for your buck in the nation.
Let’s look at the numbers.
Cost of Living Comparison
| Category | San Diego | Waukegan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $930,000 | $248,000 | 🏆 Waukegan |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,248 | $1,231 | 🏆 Waukegan |
| Housing Index (100=US Avg) | 185.8 | 110.7 | 🏆 Waukegan |
| Median Income | $105,780 | $72,841 | 🏆 San Diego |
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 378.0 | 425.6 | 🏆 San Diego |
Salary Wars & Purchasing Power
This is the crucial math. San Diego’s median income is $105,780, significantly higher than Waukegan’s $72,841. But that higher salary is immediately devoured by the cost of living.
- In San Diego: Earning $100k feels like earning $70k after housing and taxes. California has a steep income tax (up to 13.3% for high earners) and sales tax is over 8% in San Diego County. Your purchasing power is eroded by high costs and high taxes.
- In Waukegan: Earning $72k feels like earning $90k in San Diego. Illinois has a flat income tax of 4.95%, and sales tax is around 7-8%. The massive savings on housing (a mortgage payment on a $250k home is a fraction of a $930k home) means your disposable income for travel, dining, and savings is dramatically higher.
Verdict: Unless you’re in the top 10% of earners in a high-demand field, Waukegan wins the dollar power battle by a landslide. In San Diego, you need a high salary just to maintain a middle-class lifestyle. In Waukegan, a middle-class salary affords a comfortable, even spacious, life.
The Housing Market: To Buy or to Rent?
Buying a Home
This is the biggest financial decision for most. The gap here is astronomical.
- San Diego: The median home price is $930,000. With a 20% down payment ($186,000), you’re looking at a monthly mortgage of roughly $4,500+ (before taxes and insurance). This market is fiercely competitive, a seller’s paradise where bidding wars are common. It’s a market for established professionals and dual-income households.
- Waukegan: The median home price is $248,000. A 20% down payment is $49,600, leading to a monthly mortgage around $1,200. This is a buyer-friendly market with more inventory and room to negotiate. It’s one of the few places left where homeownership is realistically achievable on a single, median income.
Insight: In San Diego, buying a home is a luxury investment. In Waukegan, it’s a standard pathway to wealth.
Renting
If you’re not ready to buy, renting is still a stark contrast.
- San Diego’s average rent for a 1-bedroom is $2,248.
- For that same price in Waukegan, you could rent a much larger space, likely a 2-bedroom or even a 3-bedroom house.
Verdict: For affordable homeownership, Waukegan is the undisputed winner. For rental options that offer more space for your money, Waukegan again takes the crown.
The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life
Traffic & Commute
- San Diego: Traffic is a daily reality. The I-5 and I-15 corridors are notoriously congested. A 10-mile commute can easily take 45 minutes. Public transit (trolley, buses) is decent but doesn’t cover all areas effectively.
- Waukegan: Traffic is minimal within the city. The biggest commute consideration is getting to Chicago. The Metra train line runs from Waukegan to downtown Chicago in about an hour. If you work in the northern suburbs, the commute is manageable. If you work in the city, it’s a lifestyle choice you have to want.
Verdict: For a stress-free daily drive, Waukegan wins.
Weather & Climate
- San Diego: The data says 57°F, but that’s misleading. It’s the average of a very mild year. You’re looking at highs in the 70s-80s°F most of the year, low humidity, and virtually no snow. The weather is the city’s #1 selling point.
- Waukegan: The data says 18°F, which reflects a true four-season climate. Winters are harsh, with significant snowfall and bitter cold off Lake Michigan. Summers are warm and humid, with occasional heat waves. Fall and spring are beautiful but short-lived.
Verdict: If you hate cold and snow, San Diego is the only choice. Waukegan offers classic seasons, which some love and others endure.
Crime & Safety
This is a complex issue, but the data provides a snapshot.
- San Diego has a violent crime rate of 378.0 per 100,000 residents.
- Waukegan has a higher rate of 425.6 per 100,000.
However, crime is hyper-local. San Diego has vast areas of extreme safety and pockets of higher crime. Waukegan, being smaller, has neighborhoods with higher crime rates that can skew the city-wide average. It’s crucial to research specific neighborhoods in either city.
Verdict: Statistically, San Diego is slightly safer overall, but neither is a war zone. Your specific neighborhood choice matters more than the city average.
The Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which City?
After breaking down the data, the choice becomes clearer based on your life stage and priorities.
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Winner for Families | Waukegan | Affordable homeownership, lower cost of living, decent schools in suburbs, and proximity to Chicago's cultural perks. The financial breathing room is a game-changer for raising a family. |
| Winner for Singles/Young Pros | San Diego | The career opportunities, especially in biotech, defense, and tech, are in a different league. The social and active lifestyle is unparalleled for networking and fun. You pay for it, but for the right person, it's worth it. |
| Winner for Retirees | Waukegan | Stretching a fixed retirement income is critical. The lower cost of living, especially housing and taxes, means a comfortable, stress-free retirement. San Diego's beauty doesn't pay the bills. |
San Diego: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- World-class weather and outdoor activities
- Strong job market in high-paying industries
- Beautiful beaches and natural scenery
- Diverse, vibrant culture
Cons:
- Extreme cost of living and high taxes
- Sticker shock on homes and rent
- Significant traffic congestion
- Competitive and expensive housing market
Waukegan: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Incredible affordability and value for money
- Easy access to Chicago's jobs and amenities
- Strong sense of community
- Achievable homeownership
Cons:
- Harsh, long winters with heavy snow
- Fewer local high-paying job opportunities
- Higher city-wide crime rate (neighborhood-dependent)
- Less "glamour" or nightlife than a major city
The Bottom Line
The choice isn't really about which city is "better." It's about what you value most.
If your priority is lifestyle, weather, and career potential and you can stomach the financial cost, San Diego offers a world-class experience.
If your priority is financial security, homeownership, and a practical, grounded life without sacrificing big-city access, Waukegan is an incredibly smart and rewarding choice.
For most people, the numbers tell the story: Waukegan offers a path to stability and wealth that San Diego simply doesn't, trading perfect weather for a perfect price point.