City Comparison
Cicero vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waukegan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Cicero.
| Metric | Cicero | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,424 | +2% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,324 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waukegan offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waukegan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Cicero | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Cicero sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cicero | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 28.90 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waukegan 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 | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waukegan is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Cicero is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cicero | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.5 |
| 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.
Waukegan
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the broader Chicago metropolitan average per Zillow data.
Direct Metra rail connectivity provides convenient commuter access to downtown Chicago.
Extensive lakefront property, marina facilities, and natural dunes provide unique recreational opportunities.
Thriving local manufacturing and industrial base acts as a strong regional employment anchor.
Rich cultural arts scene anchored by historical venues like the Genesee Theatre.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates in Lake County can place a heavy burden on homeowners.
Certain areas experience higher-than-average crime rates relative to surrounding suburban pockets.
Local median household incomes trail behind wealthier neighboring municipalities in Lake County.
Poverty rates remain somewhat higher than the national average.
Varying industrial legacy sites require ongoing environmental remediation efforts.
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
Waukegan
#253Illinois, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,424
Avg Salary
$54,394
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
72
Business
70
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