Cicero IL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 14.6% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 40.3% | 39.9% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 15.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 52.3% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Cicero +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 34.5 min | Cicero + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Cicero has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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