Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Akron to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chicago has higher median household income ($77,902 vs $48,076) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $955) than Akron. Chicago’s longer commute (36 vs 24 minutes) offsets some income advantage, while its 4.95% state income tax applies uniformly in the model. Akron offers lower housing costs and shorter commutes but with significantly less income. The trade-off centers on whether Chicago’s income premium justifies its higher housing burden, longer commute, and tax exposure relative to Akron’s affordability and efficiency.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → AkronMoving from Akron to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$485/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$5,820 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+12 min / day
Difference of ~100 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTAKR → CHI
46/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$1,020after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian rent is 22% of median income, below common affordability benchmarks.
Watch closelyLower rent burden may reflect older housing stock or income distribution, not necessarily lower housing quality or availability.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Akron is about $5,820 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Akron household income$48,076
Chicago household income$77,902
Akron gross rent$955
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Akron | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 189,247 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $48,076 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $955 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $122,000 | $334,100 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 4.95% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 24 minutes in Akron and 36 minutes in Chicago. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax rate
What each city wins
Akron
Median rent is under $1,000 monthly.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect lower income levels or limited job access..
Chicago
Median rent is 22% of median income, below common affordability benchmarks.. Watch lower rent burden may reflect older housing stock or income distribution, not necessarily lower housing quality or availability..
Frequently asked questions
How does Chicago’s income compare to Akron’s when accounting for housing costs?
Chicago’s median household income is 62% higher than Akron’s, but median gross rent is 51% higher, meaning a larger share of income goes to housing in Chicago despite the income advantage.
Does Akron’s shorter commute meaningfully offset its lower income relative to Chicago?
Akron’s 24-minute commute saves 12 minutes daily versus Chicago’s 36 minutes — roughly one hour per workweek — but this time gain does not fully compensate for the $29,826 annual income gap.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.