Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Des Moines to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Chicago has higher median household income ($77,902 vs $65,932) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,090) than Des Moines. Chicago’s longer commute (36 vs 21 minutes) offsets some income gains, while its 4.95% state income tax applies uniformly in the model. Des Moines offers lower housing costs and shorter commutes but with lower income and no modeled state tax. The trade-off centers on whether Chicago’s income premium justifies its higher housing burden and longer commute relative to Des Moines’ affordability and efficiency.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Des MoinesMoving from Des Moines to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$350/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,200 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
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.
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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 VERDICTDES → CHI
45/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,640after 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, Des Moines is about $4,200 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.
Des Moines household income$65,932
Chicago household income$77,902
Des Moines gross rent$1,090
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Des Moines | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 212,421 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,090 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $194,700 | $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 21 minutes in Des Moines 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
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- Modeled state income tax rate
What each city wins
Des Moines
Rent-to-income ratio is favorable at ~20%.. Watch lower home values may reflect older housing stock or limited new construction..
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
Which city has a better balance of income and housing costs?
Des Moines has a lower rent-to-income ratio (19.8%) compared to Chicago (22.2%), indicating relatively more affordable housing despite lower absolute income, based on 2024 ACS median gross rent and household income.
How does commute time affect the effective value of income in each city?
Chicago workers spend 15 more minutes daily commuting than Des Moines residents, reducing net time available for leisure or rest, which may diminish the practical benefit of Chicago’s higher income despite its advantage in earnings.
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.