Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 26,938 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 82.8% | 26.6% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 0.2% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Cicero
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $57,479 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $25,488 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 12.7% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 24.7% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 20.2% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Cicero
63.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 63.2% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Cicero
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 35.5% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.5% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.5% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 29.7% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 19.0% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.8% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Cicero
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 33.7 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs Philadelphia, PA