City Comparison
Cicero vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cicero scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cicero is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Cicero | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,451 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Cicero | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Cicero.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cicero | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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