Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Chicago to Madison
Chicago and Madison answer different parts of the relocation question. Madison 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 Madison → ChicagoMoving from Chicago to Madison
Median Rent Impact
-$27/mo
Moving to Madison saves ~$324/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
-5.0%
~$4,950 saved in state tax on a $100k salary in Wisconsin.
Daily Commute Difference
-15 min / day
Difference of ~125 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 → MAD
78/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$17,411after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian rent is 21.7% of median income.
Watch closelyHigher home values may reflect long-term equity potential despite monthly costs.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Madison is about $324 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
Madison household income$78,050
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Madison gross rent$1,413
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Chicago | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 2,711,226 | 278,001 |
| Median household income | $77,902 | $78,050 |
| Median gross rent | $1,440 | $1,413 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $334,100 | $372,900 |
| 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 21 minutes in Madison. 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..
Madison
Median rent is 21.7% of median income.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity potential despite monthly 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.