Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Cicero
15.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Cicero
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 26,938 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 15.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 26.6% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.2% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 37.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Cicero
20.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $25,488 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 12.7% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.7% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 20.2% | Cicero + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Cicero
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | 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
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 33.7 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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