Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Cicero
15.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 26,938 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 15.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 26.6% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 0.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $57,479 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $25,488 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 12.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 24.7% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 20.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.5% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 29.7% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.0% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.8% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.7 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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