Cicero IL vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Downey
114,617
Downey +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Cicero +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Downey
1.5%
Downey +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 114,617 | Downey + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 26.6% | 21.0% | Cicero + |
| Black | 40.3% | 0.4% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.5% | Downey + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Cicero +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Downey
6.0%
Downey +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Cicero +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $23,265 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.0% | Downey + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 10.6% | Cicero + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $888,820 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 33.7% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Downey
14.3 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 33.1 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Downey has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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