Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Durham to Chicago
Comparing Durham, North Carolina, and Chicago, Illinois, using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, household economics, and daily transit. Durham reports a smaller population of 291,467 with a higher median household income of $81,619, a median gross rent of $1,508 per month, and a median owner-occupied home value of $392,800, alongside a derived one-way commute estimate of 24 minutes. Conversely, Chicago hosts a larger population of 2,711,226 with a median household income of $77,902, a slightly lower median gross rent of $1,440 per month, and a median home value of $334,100, paired with a longer 36-minute commute. Additionally, Chicago includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95%, while Durham's profile excludes state tax references.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → DurhamMoving from Durham to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$68/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$816/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
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 VERDICTDUR → CHI
52/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,656after 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, 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.
Durham household income$81,619
Chicago household income$77,902
Durham gross rent$1,508
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Durham | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 291,467 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $81,619 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,508 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $392,800 | $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 24 minutes in Durham 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
- Durham population versus Chicago population scale
- Median household income differences
- Gross rent and home value variations
- Derived one-way commute time estimates
What each city wins
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..
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
How do the populations of Durham and Chicago compare according to the 2024 ACS data?
Durham has a 2024 ACS 5-year population estimate of 291,467, while Chicago's population estimate is significantly larger at 2,711,226.
What are the housing and income differences between Durham and Chicago?
Durham shows a median household income of $81,619, median gross rent of $1,508, and home value of $392,800. Chicago records a median household income of $77,902, median gross rent of $1,440, and home value of $334,100.
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.