Cicero IL vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 26.6% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 40.3% | 21.4% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 25.7% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $664,939 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 28.8% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Cicero +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 40.3 min | Cicero + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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