Cicero, IL vs Highland Park, IL

The cost of living difference between Cicero, IL and Highland Park, IL is dramatic. Cicero is 37.3% cheaper than Highland Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cicero has a cost index of 89 while Highland Park sits at 142, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Cicero is $1,121/month compared to $1,903/month in Highland Park — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cicero is more affordable at $236,000 median vs $594,400.

Median household income in Cicero is $68,548 compared to $161,875 in Highland Park (-57.7%). While Highland Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cicero spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Highland Park.