Cicero IL vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Cicero
26.6%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
San Marcos
1.4%
San Marcos +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 5.8% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 40.3% | 4.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.4% | San Marcos + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $313,452 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 22.3% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.7% | Cicero + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Cicero, IL vs New York, NYCicero, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cicero, ILCicero, IL vs Houston, TXCicero, IL vs Phoenix, AZCicero, IL vs Philadelphia, PA