Cicero IL vs Fayetteville AR — 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%

Fayetteville, AR

Arkansas · Population: 97,227

  • Median HH Income$59,074
  • Median Home Price$380,101
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+49.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cicero
26,938
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Fayetteville
41.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Fayetteville
2507

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Fayetteville
45.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +

Which City is Right for You?

Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, 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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Cicero & Fayetteville