A data-driven snapshot comparing property taxes, sales taxes, state income taxes, and school quality across both locations. Free preview — 4 key metrics.
| Metric | 📍 Cicero, IL | 🎯 Gary, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Rate | 2.10% | 1.10% |
| Sales Tax Rate | 10.75% | 7.00% |
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.95% | 4.45% |
Unlike most states, Illinois taxes groceries — at a reduced 1% rate, not the full 10.75% rate. For Cicero residents, this carve-out softens the impact on household food budgets, but other everyday purchases still hit the full rate.
At a 2.1% effective property tax rate, a $350,000 home in Cicero costs roughly $7,350/year in property taxes alone — compared to $3,850/year at Gary's 1.1% rate.
On $40,000 of annual household spending, the 10.75% sales tax in Cicero adds up to roughly $4,300/year in sales tax — versus $2,800/year in Gary at 7.0%.
Want the Full Picture?
These 4 metrics are just the surface. The Wealth Engine calculates your complete annual cost advantage across housing, commute, healthcare, education, and more — personalized to your income and lifestyle.
Run Full Cost-of-Living Analysis →Free to use · No account required · Tri-State region (IL/IN/WI)