Cicero IL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Cicero +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 26.6% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| Black | 40.3% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Newark
$25,509
Newark +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Newark
10.9%
Newark +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Cicero +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $48,416 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $25,509 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 10.9% | Newark + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 17.4% | Cicero + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $482,675 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 24.1% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 35.9% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.0% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.2% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Cicero +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 35.9 min | Cicero + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Newark has a lower unemployment rate at 10.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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