Cicero IL vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 26.6% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 40.3% | 22.9% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 42.0% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 38.0% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.9% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.1% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.6% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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