Cicero IL vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 14.0% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 40.3% | 12.0% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.0% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,226 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 60.5% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 39.4% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.0% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.8% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.4% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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