Cicero IL vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.4 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 4.8% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 40.3% | 1.6% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.5% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,074 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $534,732 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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