Cicero IL vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Schenectady
28,542
Schenectady +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 28,542 | Schenectady + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 42.3 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 6.8% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 40.3% | 3.1% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 4.7% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $321,835 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 57.5% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 38.6% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.2% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.9% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady 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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