Cicero IL vs Fort Smith 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%
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Fort Smith
89,496
Fort Smith +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Fort Smith
36.6
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
11.7%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
7.7%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Fort Smith
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 89,496 | Fort Smith + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 11.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 61.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 40.3% | 7.7% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 20.0% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Fort Smith
$52,692
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Fort Smith
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Fort Smith
25.3%
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $52,692 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $33,991 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 18.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 25.3% | Fort Smith + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
53.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $195,664 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 53.0% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Fort Smith
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Fort Smith
2507
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
37.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Fort Smith
17.2%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 37.0% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.8% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.7% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 15.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.2% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Fort Smith
45.5 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Fort Smith
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Fort Smith, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 18.7 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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