Living in Cicero, IL offers a suburban lifestyle with deep historical roots and a vibrant, diverse community. Located just west of Chicago, Cicero is known for its rich cultural heritage and strong sense of tradition. The city’s proximity to Chicago means that residents can enjoy the benefits of suburban living while having easy access to the cultural and economic opportunities of a major metropolitan area.
Cicero’s dining scene is diverse, reflecting the city’s multicultural population. From classic American diners to authentic Mexican eateries, there’s something to satisfy every palate. The city’s historic architecture, including the iconic Hawthorne Works Tower, adds to its charm, providing a glimpse into Cicero’s industrial past. The Cicero Mexican Independence Day Parade is a highlight of the year, celebrating the city’s cultural diversity with music, dance, and vibrant displays.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Cicero offers plenty of parks and recreational facilities. The city’s parks, including Cicero Community Park and Parkholme Community Park, offer sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas, making them perfect spots for family outings and community events. The nearby Chicago Portage National Historic Site provides a natural escape with its scenic trails and historical significance.
Cicero is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to education. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Cicero Fest and the annual Christmas Parade, which bring residents together to celebrate the city’s heritage and community spirit. The local schools and educational institutions, such as Morton College, make Cicero an attractive place for families and students alike.
For those considering a move to Illinois, Cicero offers a unique blend of historical charm, cultural richness, and suburban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its heritage, outdoor activities, or proximity to Chicago, living in Cicero, IL provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Located in the state of Illinois, Cicero is a moderately-sized city with a population of 84,320 inhabitants. Cicero has a population density of 14,376 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Cicero identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 81% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. The median age of all Cicero residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 45% of the Cicero population is married. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Cicero offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cicero could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Cicero and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 81/100, Cicero is ranked #1,302 in the United States and #64 in Illinois. Clearly, Cicero is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Cicero scores well for amenities (B), crime (B-), cost of living (B+), employment (B-) and housing (A+) Cicero does not do well for the following: education (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Cicero, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Cicero undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Cicero apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Cicero is real estate affordability. The median home price for Cicero homes is $319,921, which is 3.7% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cicero, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 14.3% higher than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Cicero | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 70.4% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 15.4% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.8% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.5% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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