Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Albany +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Albany
18.9%
Cicero
26.6%
Cicero +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Cicero
40.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Albany +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 26,938 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 18.9% | 26.6% | Cicero + |
| Black | 76.3% | 40.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 0.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Cicero
$25,488
Cicero +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Albany +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Cicero
24.7%
Cicero +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $25,488 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 12.7% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 24.7% | Cicero + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 20.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Cicero
$268,119
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $268,119 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 29.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 11.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA