Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 26,938 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 76.6% | 26.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 0.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $57,479 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $25,488 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 20.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Cicero
$268,119
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $268,119 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 29.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 33.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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