Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Arlington to Chicago
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Arlington, Virginia and Chicago, Illinois present distinct financial and commuting trade-offs. Arlington features a substantially higher median household income of $142,114 compared to Chicago's $77,902, alongside a shorter derived one-way commute of 29 minutes versus Chicago's 36 minutes. However, this comes with significantly elevated housing costs in Arlington, where the median gross rent is $2,322 and median home value is $895,000, contrasted with Chicago's median gross rent of $1,440 and median home value of $334,100. Additionally, Chicago applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95%, while Arlington's state income tax is excluded from this profile. Neither city establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality through these citywide metrics.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → ArlingtonMoving from Arlington to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$882/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$10,584/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 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 VERDICTARL → CHI
62/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$17,424after 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 $10,584 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.
Arlington household income$142,114
Chicago household income$77,902
Arlington gross rent$2,322
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Arlington | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 236,254 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $142,114 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $895,000 | $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 29 minutes in Arlington 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 differences
- Median gross rent and home values
- Derived one-way commute estimates
- State individual income-tax reference
What each city wins
Arlington
A median household income of $142,114 paired with an $895,000 home value.. Watch a high median household income against an $895,000 median home value..
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 Arlington and Chicago compare in median household income and housing costs according to the 2024 ACS?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Arlington has a median household income of $142,114 with a median gross rent of $2,322 and a median home value of $895,000. In comparison, Chicago records 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 derived one-way commute times for Arlington and Chicago?
Based on calculations from the 2024 ACS table B08303, the derived one-way commute estimate is 29 minutes for Arlington, Virginia, and 36 minutes for Chicago, Illinois.
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.