Cicero IL vs Lafayette LA — 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%

Lafayette, LA

Louisiana · Population: 121,537

  • Median HH Income$61,454
  • Median Home Price$225,222
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+40.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cicero
26,938
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Lafayette
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Lafayette
55.0%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Lafayette
2824

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Lafayette
16.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +

Which City is Right for You?

Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Cicero & Lafayette