Cicero IL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Madison
11.6%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 11.6% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 40.3% | 7.1% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.3% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,837 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $429,253 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 46.6% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Madison
16.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.8% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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