Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Chicago to Durham
Chicago and Durham answer different parts of the relocation question. Chicago has the lower default annual core-cost model, while the salary, excluded state-tax assumption, and rent-versus-buy choice can reverse that result. Use the citywide ACS figures as reference points, then replace them with the actual offer and housing quote.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Durham → ChicagoMoving from Chicago to Durham
Median Rent Impact
+$68/mo
Moving to Durham costs ~$816 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
-5.0%
~$4,950 saved in state tax on a $100k salary in North Carolina.
Daily Commute Difference
-12 min / day
Difference of ~100 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 VERDICTCHI → DUR
75/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$16,271after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA median household income of $81,619 alongside a median home value of $392,800.
Watch closelyA 24-minute derived commute estimate against citywide housing costs.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Chicago is about $816 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.
Chicago household income$77,902
Durham household income$81,619
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Durham gross rent$1,508
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Chicago | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 2,711,226 | 291,467 |
| Median household income | $77,902 | $81,619 |
| Median gross rent | $1,440 | $1,508 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $334,100 | $392,800 |
| State-tax treatment | 4.95% simplified | Excluded |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 36 minutes in Chicago and 24 minutes in Durham. 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
- Compare actual offers rather than city medians
- Verify neighborhood housing against the citywide ACS benchmark
- Treat renting and buying as separate decisions
- Use the route-specific commute, not only the city estimate
What each city wins
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..
Durham
A median household income of $81,619 alongside a median home value of $392,800.. Watch a 24-minute derived commute estimate against citywide housing costs..
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.