Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Cicero
40.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 26,938 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 39.9% | 26.6% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 40.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 0.2% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $57,479 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $25,488 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 12.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 24.7% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 20.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 29.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.0% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 33.7 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Chicago, ILAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA