Golden Valley, MN 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.
Golden Valley
75.7
#424 nationally
Waukegan
74.8
#557 nationally
Golden Valley leads in crime level (1.8 vs 12.2). Waukegan leads in walk score (49 vs 28). Golden Valley leads in median household income ($110,026 vs $66,077).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Golden Valley, MN | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.7 (#424) | 74.8 (#557) |
| Population | 21,211 | 87,642 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $446,491 | $249,468 |
| Median Household Income | $110,026 | $66,077 |
| Average Commute | 20.2 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 49 |
| Crime Level | 1.8 | 12.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.6 | D+20.8 |
C
75.7 Score
Golden Valley, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$446,491
Population
21,211
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Midwest
View Golden Valley, MN →
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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