Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 26,938 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 77.5% | 26.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 0.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $57,479 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $25,488 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 12.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 24.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 20.2% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Cicero
63.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 63.2% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Cicero
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Cicero
35.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Cicero
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Cicero
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Cicero
12.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 35.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.5% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 29.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.0% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.8% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 33.7 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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