Cicero IL vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.9 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 26.6% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 40.3% | 1.6% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $671,948 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 58.1% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.8% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 17.0% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Ontario
15.0 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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