At $1,322/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,322 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Cicero changed +1.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 Illinois cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.0%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($70,842) is $1,771 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,460); a 3-bedroom is $1,880.
East Chicago, IN, 21 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,040/mo), about $3,400 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Cicero. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Cicero, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Cicero, IL has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $58,433 to $70,842 across the same window, up 21.2% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 2.5% since 2021, moving from about 84,905 residents to roughly 82,797.
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Can you afford rent in Cicero on your salary?
At $1,322/mo, how Cicero rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Cicero rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Cicero. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Cicero
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Cicero is $1,322/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,210/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,290/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,880/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($70,842/yr), Cicero ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Cicero?
Is rent going up or down in Cicero?
How does Cicero rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
At $1,322/mo, rent takes ~22% of Cicero's median household income ($70,842/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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