Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Chula Vista to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chula Vista has a higher median household income ($108,032) and median home value ($758,700) than Phoenix ($81,332 income, $420,700 home value), but also higher median gross rent ($2,229 vs $1,582). Chula Vista’s derived one-way commute is longer at 31 minutes compared to Phoenix’s 28 minutes. Phoenix applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator, while Chula Vista’s state tax is excluded per profile boundaries. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption for both. These factors reflect trade-offs in affordability, income, commute time, and tax treatment, but no universal winner is declared as suitability depends on individual priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Chula VistaMoving from Chula Vista to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$647/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$7,764/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-3 min / day
Difference of ~25 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 VERDICTCHU → PHX
70/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$17,348after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $7,764 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.
Chula Vista household income$108,032
Phoenix household income$81,332
Chula Vista gross rent$2,229
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Chula Vista | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 276,375 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $108,032 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $2,229 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $758,700 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 31 minutes in Chula Vista and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Derived one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax reference
- Uniform non-housing calculator baseline
What each city wins
Chula Vista
Median rent consumes nearly a quarter of median income.. Watch higher income offsets high housing costs, but burdens remain significant for many..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Chula Vista and Phoenix?
Chula Vista has higher median gross rent at $2,229 per month and median home value at $758,700, while Phoenix has lower median gross rent at $1,582 and median home value at $420,700, based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What is the difference in commute time and tax treatment between the two cities?
Chula Vista has a derived one-way commute of 31 minutes, longer than Phoenix’s 28 minutes. Phoenix uses a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator, while Chula Vista’s state tax is excluded per current profile boundaries.
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.