Boston, MA vs Cicero, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Cicero
75.8
#413 nationally
Cicero leads in cost of living index (100 vs 155). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $64,325). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 75).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Cicero, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 75.8 (#413) |
| Population | 684,379 | 81,004 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $280,032 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $64,325 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 30.1 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 75 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 9.5 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+42.0 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
C
75.8 Score
Cicero, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$280,032
Population
81,004
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
75
Midwest
View Cicero, IL →