City Comparison
Cicero vs Schaumburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Schaumburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Schaumburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cicero is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Schaumburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cicero's average rent is
22% lower than Schaumburg's.
| Metric | Cicero | Schaumburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,850 | -22% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,815 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schaumburg offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schaumburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $62,000 in Schaumburg.
| Metric | Cicero | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $91,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Cicero sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cicero | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | 17.20°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 34.40 in |
| Snowfall | 28.90 in | 27.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schaumburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 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 | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cicero is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Schaumburg.
From a growth perspective, Schaumburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schaumburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cicero | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 78,723 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Schaumburg
Advantages
Home to Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, offering extensive retail and dining options.
Consistently low crime rates and proactive local policing make it one of the safest communities in the region.
Exceptional park district maintaining over 70 parks, community centers, and recreational facilities for residents.
Strong corporate employment base with major headquarters located directly within the municipal boundaries.
Convenient access to Interstate 90 provides efficient commuting routes to downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, putting a heavy financial burden on homeowners.
High level of car dependency outside of core commercial zones, leading to heavy traffic congestion around major retail hubs.
Overall cost of living sits noticeably above the national average, driven primarily by housing and local tax structures.
Winters can be harsh and prolonged, bringing heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that limit outdoor activities.
Lack of a rapid transit rail station directly within the village center requires reliance on buses or driving to reach Metra stations.
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
Schaumburg
#237Illinois, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
81
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