Cicero IL vs Columbia SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cicero, IL
Illinois · Population: 26,938
- Median HH Income$57,479
- Median Home Price$268,119
- Unemployment12.7%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 5.1% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 40.3% | 39.5% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 5.7% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $55,653 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $54,550 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 47.3% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.2% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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