City Comparison
Cicero vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rockford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Rockford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Cicero.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cicero's average rent is
53% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Cicero | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $1,845 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rockford offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rockford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Cicero | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Rockford comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cicero sees 4.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cicero | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.90 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 262 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rockford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 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 | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Cicero.
From a growth perspective, Cicero is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Cicero | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.20% |
| 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.
Rockford
Advantages
Median home prices in Rockford remain significantly lower than the national average per Redfin data from 2024.
The city boasts extensive recreational amenities, including the world-renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Strategic location along I-90 provides easy access to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee.
A thriving arts and cultural scene anchored by the historic Coronado Theatre.
Abundant park space with the Rockford Park District managing over 4,000 acres of land.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates per FBI crime data.
Property tax rates in Winnebago County can be relatively high compared to neighboring states.
Public transit options are more limited outside of core bus routes, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall and cold temperatures requiring robust preparation.
Job growth in traditional manufacturing has faced periodic economic fluctuations.
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
Rockford
#446Illinois, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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