Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Birmingham to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Birmingham has a median household income of $46,051, median gross rent of $1,107, median home value of $158,800, and a 23-minute commute. Chicago reports $77,902 income, $1,440 rent, $334,100 home value, and a 36-minute commute. Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model; Birmingham’s state tax is excluded per data constraints. The uniform non-housing baseline is $1,250/month for both. Birmingham offers lower housing costs and shorter commutes but significantly lower income. Chicago provides higher earnings offset by higher housing expenses, longer commutes, and modeled tax deductions. The trade-off centers on income potential versus cost of living and time allocation, with no universal preference implied.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → BirminghamMoving from Birmingham to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$333/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$3,996 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.
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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 VERDICTBIR → CHI
49/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,844after 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, Birmingham is about $3,996 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.
Birmingham household income$46,051
Chicago household income$77,902
Birmingham gross rent$1,107
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Birmingham | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 198,173 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $46,051 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,107 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $158,800 | $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 Birmingham 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 disparity
- Housing cost relative to earnings
- Commute time differences
- Modeled state income tax impact
What each city wins
Birmingham
A median owner-occupied home value of $158,800.. Watch lower median home values pair with a modest median household income of $46,051..
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 the two cities relative to income?
In Birmingham, median gross rent is $1,107/month on a $46,051 income (~29% of monthly income). In Chicago, rent is $1,440/month on $77,902 income (~22% of monthly income). Despite higher nominal rent, Chicago’s housing cost burden is lower relative to income.
What is the trade-off between commute time and income when comparing these cities?
Chicago residents earn about 69% more than those in Birmingham but spend 13 minutes longer commuting one-way. This reflects a trade-off where higher income in Chicago comes with increased travel time, while Birmingham offers shorter commutes at the cost of significantly lower earnings potential.
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.