Garden City, MI vs Waukegan, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Garden City
80.2
#88 nationally
Waukegan
74.8
#557 nationally
Garden City leads in crime level (7.7 vs 12.2). Garden City leads in cost of living index (91 vs 96). Waukegan leads in median household income ($66,077 vs $63,630).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Garden City, MI | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.2 (#88) | 74.8 (#557) |
| Population | 26,325 | 87,642 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $207,556 | $249,468 |
| Median Household Income | $63,630 | $66,077 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 49 |
| Crime Level | 7.7 | 12.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.0 | D+20.8 |
B-
80.2 Score
Garden City, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$207,556
Population
26,325
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
50
Midwest
View Garden City, MI →
C
74.8 Score
Waukegan, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$249,468
Population
87,642
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
49
Midwest
View Waukegan, IL →
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