Cicero IL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Waco
9.8%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 9.8% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 40.3% | 20.4% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 29.9% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $51,468 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 48.9% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.8% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.4% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.1% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
Compare More Cities
Cicero, IL vs New York, NYCicero, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cicero, ILCicero, IL vs Houston, TXCicero, IL vs Phoenix, AZCicero, IL vs Philadelphia, PA