Cicero IL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%

Phoenix, AZ

Arizona · Population: 1,624,832

  • Median HH Income$77,041
  • Median Home Price$411,323
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+32.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cicero
26,938
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Phoenix
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Phoenix
57.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Phoenix
2150

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +

Which City is Right for You?

Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Cicero & Phoenix