Cicero IL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Cicero
26.6%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 8.9% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 40.3% | 24.4% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 17.3% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $52,512 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 58.8% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 39.7% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.3% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.2% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Cicero +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Cicero 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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