Cicero, IL vs Rock Island, IL

The cost of living difference between Cicero, IL and Rock Island, IL is dramatic. Rock Island is 35.7% cheaper than Cicero, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cicero has a cost index of 89 while Rock Island sits at 66, 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 $819/month in Rock Island — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rock Island is more affordable at $118,400 median vs $236,000.

Median household income in Cicero is $68,548 compared to $57,292 in Rock Island (+19.6%). The higher salaries in Cicero partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Cicero spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Rock Island.