Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Chandler to Chicago
The 2024 ACS 5-year data shows Chandler has higher median income ($108,095) and home values ($507,800) but also higher gross rent ($1,902) versus Chicago’s lower income ($77,902), home value ($334,100), and rent ($1,440). Chandler’s shorter commute (26 min) contrasts with Chicago’s longer one (36 min). Illinois applies a flat 4.95% state income tax in the model; Arizona’s rate is excluded per boundary rules. These trade-offs reflect differing cost-of-living and lifestyle profiles without implying overall superiority.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → ChandlerMoving from Chandler to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$462/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$5,544/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+10 min / day
Difference of ~83 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 VERDICTCHA → CHI
57/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$12,384after 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 $5,544 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.
Chandler household income$108,095
Chicago household income$77,902
Chandler gross rent$1,902
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Chandler | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 280,136 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $108,095 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,902 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $507,800 | $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 26 minutes in Chandler 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
- Higher income and home values in Chandler
- Lower rent and home values in Chicago
- Shorter commute in Chandler vs longer in Chicago
- State tax modeled only for Chicago at 4.95%
What each city wins
Chandler
Rent consumes ~21% of median income, indicating relative affordability for renters.. Watch home values are high relative to income, limiting homeownership access despite reasonable rental 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 do housing costs compare between Chandler and Chicago?
Chandler’s median gross rent is $1,902 per month, significantly higher than Chicago’s $1,440, while median home values are $507,800 in Chandler versus $334,100 in Chicago, reflecting differing affordability profiles.
What is the commute time difference between the two cities?
Chandler’s derived one-way commute is 26 minutes, 10 minutes shorter than Chicago’s 36-minute estimate, based on weighted midpoints from 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.