City Comparison
Cicero vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cicero is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Peoria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cicero's average rent is
20% lower than Peoria's.
| Metric | Cicero | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,817 | -20% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,737 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Peoria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Cicero | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 25.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 70 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 | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 28.90 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 322 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Peoria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 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 | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Cicero.
From a growth perspective, Peoria is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Peoria has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cicero | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Cicero and Peoria.
Open Cost Calculator