Cicero IL vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.8 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 26.6% | 24.8% | Cicero + |
| Black | 40.3% | 17.1% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $28,490 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 14.2% | Cicero + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $531,592 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 25.4% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Elizabeth
28.1%
Elizabeth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.8% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 28.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.0% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Cicero, IL vs New York, NYCicero, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cicero, ILCicero, IL vs Houston, TXCicero, IL vs Phoenix, AZCicero, IL vs Philadelphia, PA