Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Chesapeake to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chesapeake, VA has a higher median household income ($95,373) and median home value ($378,400) than Houston, TX ($64,813 and $277,800), but also higher median gross rent ($1,586 vs $1,361). Commute times are similar (28 vs 30 minutes). Houston benefits from a 0% state income tax assumption in the model, while Chesapeake’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off reflects higher earnings and housing costs in Chesapeake versus lower income but lower housing burden in Houston, with tax treatment influencing net affordability.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → ChesapeakeMoving from Chesapeake to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$225/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$2,700/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+2 min / day
Difference of ~17 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 VERDICTCHE → HOU
63/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$15,084after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $2,700 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.
Chesapeake household income$95,373
Houston household income$64,813
Chesapeake gross rent$1,586
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Chesapeake | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 252,583 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $95,373 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,586 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $378,400 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 28 minutes in Chesapeake and 30 minutes in Houston. 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
- State income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Chesapeake
Median rent consumes roughly 20% of median income.. Watch lower housing cost burden may come with longer commutes or fewer urban amenities..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Chesapeake and Houston relative to income?
Chesapeake has higher median gross rent ($1,586) and home value ($378,400) than Houston ($1,361 rent, $277,800 value), but also significantly higher median income ($95,373 vs $64,813), affecting affordability ratios differently in each city.
What role does state income tax play in the comparison between these cities?
Houston uses a 0% state income tax assumption in the calculator, while Chesapeake’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference; this influences net income estimates but does not reflect actual liability.
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.