Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Cicero
15.7%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 26,938 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.7% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 26.6% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 0.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Cicero
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $57,479 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $25,488 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 12.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 24.7% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 20.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 29.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.0% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Cicero
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 33.7 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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