Cicero IL vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.2 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 11.2% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 40.3% | 4.4% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 26.6% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $435,670 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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