Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 26,938 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 83.6% | 26.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 0.2% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $57,479 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $25,488 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 12.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.7% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 20.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Cicero
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 344 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1842 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Cicero
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Cicero
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.7 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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