City Comparison
Cicero vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cicero is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Bloomington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cicero's average rent is
32% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Cicero | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,100 | +32% |
| Groceries | $420 | $685 | -39% |
| Utilities | $175 | $391 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $300 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $120 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,596 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Cicero | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cicero runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cicero comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cicero sees 28.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cicero | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Cicero.
Cicero scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cicero leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cicero | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cicero is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cicero | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cicero
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly more affordable than neighboring Chicago and northern Cook County suburbs.
Exceptional public transit access via the CTA Pink Line and multiple Pace bus routes providing direct rides to downtown Chicago.
Vibrant cultural community featuring authentic dining, local markets, and traditional neighborhood festivals.
Strategic geographic location near major logistics hubs, I-55, and Midway Airport supporting strong employment access.
Active community policing and municipal programs dedicated to neighborhood improvement and youth engagement.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes and state tax rates create a notable financial burden for homeowners and businesses.
Crime rates in certain sectors remain higher than the national suburban average, requiring standard urban safety vigilance.
Limited green space and park acreage per capita compared to outer ring suburbs.
Aged housing stock in many multi-family buildings can necessitate frequent maintenance and renovation costs.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Cermak Road during peak commuting hours.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cicero
#449Illinois, USA
55.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
74.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
72
Business
67
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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