Akron OH vs Cicero IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Cicero, IL
Illinois · Population: 26,938
- Median HH Income$57,479
- Median Home Price$268,119
- Unemployment12.7%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 26,938 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 56.1% | 26.6% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 0.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $25,488 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 12.7% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 24.7% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 20.2% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Cicero
$268,119
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $268,119 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Cicero
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 29.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 33.7 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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