Cicero IL vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Cicero
26.6%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 12.2% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 40.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $54,550 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $313,219 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 48.5% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.8% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.3% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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