Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 26,938 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 57.6% | 26.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 0.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Cicero
24.7%
Cicero +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $25,488 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 12.7% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 24.7% | Cicero + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 20.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Cicero
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | 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
Athens
62.6°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.7 min | Athens + |
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, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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