Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Amarillo to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Amarillo has a lower median household income ($65,912) and lower housing costs (median gross rent $1,092, median home value $196,900) with a shorter commute (21 minutes). Chicago has higher income ($77,902) but significantly higher housing costs (rent $1,440, home value $334,100) and a longer commute (36 minutes). Illinois applies a 4.95% state individual income tax in the calculator model, while Texas has no state income tax. Amarillo offers more housing affordability and shorter commutes relative to income, while Chicago provides higher earnings potential offset by elevated housing expenses and longer travel times. The trade-off centers on whether higher income compensates for increased housing burden and commute duration, with no universal preference implied.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → AmarilloMoving from Amarillo to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$348/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,176 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+15 min / day
Difference of ~125 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 VERDICTAMA → CHI
45/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,664after 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, Amarillo is about $4,176 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.
Amarillo household income$65,912
Chicago household income$77,902
Amarillo gross rent$1,092
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Amarillo | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,885 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $65,912 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,092 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $196,900 | $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 21 minutes in Amarillo 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
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
What each city wins
Amarillo
Median rent is 20% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect fewer high-end amenities or slower appreciation..
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 do housing costs compare between Amarillo and Chicago relative to income?
Amarillo’s median gross rent is $1,092 and median home value is $196,900, while Chicago’s are $1,440 and $334,100 respectively. Despite Chicago’s higher median income ($77,902 vs $65,912), housing costs consume a larger share of income in Chicago, making Amarillo more affordable on a housing-cost-to-income basis.
What is the trade-off between income, commute, and taxes in these two cities?
Chicago offers higher median income but longer commutes (36 vs 21 minutes) and applies a 4.95% state income tax in the calculator model. Amarillo has lower income, shorter commutes, and no state income tax in the model. The trade-off involves weighing increased earnings against higher housing costs, longer travel, and tax exposure, with no single factor determining overall preference.
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.