Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
40.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 26,938 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 36.2% | 26.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 40.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 0.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Cicero
24.7%
Cicero +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $25,488 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 12.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.7% | Cicero + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 20.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
$268,119
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $268,119 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 29.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 33.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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