Cicero IL vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 11.3% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 40.3% | 17.9% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.1% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $309,801 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 54.6% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.4% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.9% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.0% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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%.
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