Cicero IL vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cicero
26,938
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Winston-Salem +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.5 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 15.7% | 5.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 26.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 40.3% | 14.9% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.2% | 1.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 8.9% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,479 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,488 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $268,119 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 46.8% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 42.7% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.4% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 29.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.4% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cicero, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Cicero is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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