Cicero IL vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.2 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 5.3% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 40.3% | 9.7% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.9% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $55,902 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 59.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 39.7% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.8% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.9% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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