Cicero IL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 8.3% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 40.3% | 37.5% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 20.0% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Cicero +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $46,628 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 26.6% | Cicero + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 38.0% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.8% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.6% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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