Cicero, IL vs Pekin, IL

The cost of living difference between Cicero, IL and Pekin, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 37.7% cheaper than Cicero, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cicero has a cost index of 89 while Pekin sits at 65, 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 $792/month in Pekin — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $236,000.

Median household income in Cicero is $68,548 compared to $58,355 in Pekin (+17.5%). Cicero does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Cicero spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Pekin.