Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 26,938 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 45.4% | 26.6% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 0.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Cicero
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Cicero
24.7%
Cicero +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $25,488 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.7% | Cicero + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 20.2% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Cicero
$268,119
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $268,119 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.5% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 29.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.0% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Cicero
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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