Cicero IL vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Cicero +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 100,713 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.5 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 26.6% | 24.0% | Cicero + |
| Black | 40.3% | 4.2% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Norwalk
21.3%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 21.3% | Norwalk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $765,319 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, 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%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 15.4% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 32.1 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
Cicero, IL vs New York, NYCicero, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cicero, ILCicero, IL vs Houston, TXCicero, IL vs Phoenix, AZCicero, IL vs Philadelphia, PA