Phoenix, AZ 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.
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Waukegan
74.8
#557 nationally
Waukegan leads in walk score (49 vs 41). Waukegan leads in cost of living index (96 vs 106). Phoenix leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 26.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 74.8 (#557) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 87,642 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $249,468 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $66,077 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 49 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 12.2 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | D+20.8 |
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →
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 →