Cicero IL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 42.9 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 26.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 40.3% | 4.9% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.4% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $865,610 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 28.8% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.7% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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