Cicero IL vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 9.2% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 40.3% | 4.2% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 8.8% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $293,233 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 55.8% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.6% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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