Cicero IL vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.5 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 12.3% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 40.3% | 21.8% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 20.6% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Rockford
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $53,328 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 53.8% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Rockford
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Rockford
1842
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 44.7% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.0% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.1% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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