Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Baton Rouge to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Baton Rouge has lower median income ($49,994) and housing costs (rent $1,067, home value $234,700) with a shorter commute (23 min), while Chicago shows higher income ($77,902) and costs (rent $1,440, home value $334,100) with a longer commute (36 min). Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model; Baton Rouge’s state tax is excluded per source boundaries. The trade-off involves Chicago’s higher earnings offsetting its elevated housing and tax burden versus Baton Rouge’s affordability and shorter commute amid lower income. No universal winner is declared, as suitability depends on individual priorities regarding income, costs, commute, and tax treatment.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Baton RougeMoving from Baton Rouge to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$373/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,476 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 VERDICTBAT → CHI
48/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,364after 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, Baton Rouge is about $4,476 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.
Baton Rouge household income$49,994
Chicago household income$77,902
Baton Rouge gross rent$1,067
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Baton Rouge | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,771 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $49,994 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,067 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $234,700 | $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 Baton Rouge 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
Baton Rouge
Median rent consumes ~26% of median income.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect tradeoffs in job access or services..
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 Baton Rouge and Chicago?
Baton Rouge’s median gross rent is $1,067 and median home value is $234,700, while Chicago’s are $1,440 and $334,100 respectively, making Baton Rouge more affordable on both rental and ownership metrics per 2024 ACS.
What is the commute and tax trade-off between the two cities?
Chicago workers face a longer average commute (36 min vs 23 min) and a modeled 4.95% state income tax, while Baton Rouge has a shorter commute and no state tax applied in the calculator, affecting net income and time-cost balance.
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.