Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Boise City to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Boise City has a higher median household income ($83,904 vs $77,902) and higher median home value ($484,800 vs $334,100) than Chicago, but similar median gross rent ($1,446 vs $1,440). Boise residents have a shorter estimated one-way commute (20 minutes vs 36 minutes). Chicago applies a simplified state individual income-tax rate of 4.95% in the calculator, while Boise’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. These factors create a trade-off: Boise offers higher income and shorter commutes but higher home values, while Chicago has lower income and longer commutes but more affordable home values relative to income, with a modeled tax consideration.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Boise CityMoving from Boise City to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$6/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$72/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.
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 VERDICTBOI → CHI
48/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,912after 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 $72 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.
Boise City household income$83,904
Chicago household income$77,902
Boise City gross rent$1,446
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Boise City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 237,242 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $83,904 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,446 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $484,800 | $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 20 minutes in Boise City 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
- Estimated one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax treatment in calculator
What each city wins
Boise City
A median household income of $83,904 paired with a median home value of $484,800.. Watch a 20-minute derived commute against citywide housing benchmarks..
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
Which city has a higher median household income according to the 2024 ACS?
Boise City has a higher median household income at $83,904 compared to Chicago’s $77,902, based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates from Table B19013.
How do the estimated commute times compare between the two cities?
Boise City has a derived one-way commute estimate of 20 minutes, while Chicago’s is 36 minutes, both calculated from weighted midpoints in the 2024 ACS Table B08303.
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.