Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Augusta-Richmond County to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chicago has higher median household income ($77,902 vs $55,485) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,142) than Augusta-Richmond County. Chicago’s longer commute (36 vs 23 minutes) and inclusion of a 4.95% state income tax in the calculator offset some income advantages, while Augusta’s lower housing costs improve affordability despite lower earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Augusta-Richmond CountyMoving from Augusta-Richmond County to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$298/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$3,576 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+13 min / day
Difference of ~108 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 VERDICTAUG → CHI
48/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,264after 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, Augusta-Richmond County is about $3,576 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.
Augusta-Richmond County household income$55,485
Chicago household income$77,902
Augusta-Richmond County gross rent$1,142
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Augusta-Richmond County | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,528 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $55,485 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,142 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $178,400 | $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 23 minutes in Augusta-Richmond County 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 income tax in calculator
What each city wins
Augusta-Richmond County
Moderate home values. Watch rent vs owner-occupied 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 does housing affordability compare between the two cities?
Augusta-Richmond County has lower median gross rent ($1,142) and median home value ($178,400) than Chicago ($1,440 rent, $334,100 home value), making housing more affordable there despite lower incomes.
What role does commute time play in the cost-of-living comparison?
Chicago residents have a longer average one-way commute (36 minutes) compared to Augusta-Richmond County (23 minutes), which may increase transportation costs and reduce effective disposable income despite higher wages.
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.