Cicero IL vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Independence
5.3%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.4 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 5.3% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 40.3% | 10.8% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 12.4% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 20.9% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 61.0% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 37.3% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.9% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.4% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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