Cicero IL vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 26.6% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 40.3% | 4.7% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 20.3% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $447,353 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 58.4% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.2% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.0% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.7% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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