Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Anchorage to Chicago
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, comparing Anchorage, Alaska and Chicago, Illinois reveals a distinct economic and lifestyle trade-off. Anchorage offers a substantially higher median household income of $103,284 compared to Chicago's $77,902, alongside a shorter derived one-way commute of 20 minutes versus Chicago's 36 minutes. However, housing is pricier in Anchorage, with a median gross rent of $1,489 and a median owner-occupied home value of $395,900, compared to Chicago's $1,440 gross rent and $334,100 home value. Additionally, Chicago features a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95%, while Anchorage's state income tax is excluded due to a lack of an approved official reference. Both cities share a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month. Citywide data does not establish neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → AnchorageMoving from Anchorage to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$49/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$588/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+16 min / day
Difference of ~133 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 VERDICTANC → CHI
47/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,428after 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, Chicago is about $588 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.
Anchorage household income$103,284
Chicago household income$77,902
Anchorage gross rent$1,489
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Anchorage | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 288,976 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $103,284 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,489 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $395,900 | $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 20 minutes in Anchorage 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
- Higher median household income in Anchorage
- Shorter commute duration in Anchorage
- More affordable housing in Chicago
- State individual income-tax reference presence
What each city wins
Anchorage
Median household income of $103,284.. Watch a 20-minute derived commute against citywide housing costs..
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 Anchorage and Chicago compare in median household income and housing costs?
According to 2024 ACS estimates, Anchorage reports a median household income of $103,284 with a median gross rent of $1,489 and a median home value of $395,900. Chicago has a median household income of $77,902, a median gross rent of $1,440, and a median home value of $334,100.
What are the estimated one-way commute times for Anchorage and Chicago?
Derived from 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints, the estimated one-way commute is 20 minutes for Anchorage and 36 minutes for Chicago.
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.