Cicero IL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 11.0% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 40.3% | 14.4% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $52,606 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $332,727 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 53.6% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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