City Comparison
Cicero vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cicero scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cicero is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Cicero | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,570 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cicero delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Cicero | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $59,646 |
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cicero is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cicero has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cicero | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| 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.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
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
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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