Cicero IL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Cicero
26.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 41.5 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 26.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 40.3% | 6.6% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 2.4% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $309,742 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.0% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.2% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.3% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Cicero +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cicero + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, 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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