Cicero, IL vs Waukegan, IL

Cicero, IL and Waukegan, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Cicero scores 89 while Waukegan scores 86 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cicero is $1,121/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cicero has cheaper rent, Waukegan actually has lower median home values ($177,600 vs $236,000).

Median household income in Cicero is $68,548 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (-2.9%). Waukegan offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cicero spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.