Cicero IL vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Cicero
26.6%
San Jose
29.0%
San Jose +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.1 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 26.6% | 29.0% | San Jose + |
| Black | 40.3% | 2.9% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 30.9% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $1,452,609 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 56.0% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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