Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Fontana to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Fontana has a higher median household income ($102,821 vs $77,902) and higher median home value ($586,800 vs $334,100) than Chicago, but also higher median gross rent ($1,839 vs $1,440). Commute times are similar (35 vs 36 minutes). Chicago applies a modeled 4.95% state income tax in the calculator, while Fontana’s tax is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off centers on Fontana’s stronger income and home equity potential versus Chicago’s lower housing costs and tax-inclusive calculator framework, with neither city dominating across all metrics.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → FontanaMoving from Fontana to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$399/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$4,788/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 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 VERDICTFON → CHI
61/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$11,628after 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 $4,788 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.
Fontana household income$102,821
Chicago household income$77,902
Fontana gross rent$1,839
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Fontana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 214,169 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $102,821 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,839 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $586,800 | $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 35 minutes in Fontana 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
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Modeled state income tax treatment
What each city wins
Fontana
Rent consumes ~21.5% of median income.. Watch lower rent burden vs. high home values..
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 higher housing costs relative to income?
Fontana has higher median gross rent ($1,839) and home value ($586,800) than Chicago ($1,440 rent, $334,100 value), but also substantially higher median income ($102,821 vs $77,902), making the income-to-housing ratio more favorable in Fontana despite higher absolute costs.
How does the tax treatment affect the comparison between the two cities?
The calculator applies a modeled 4.95% state income tax for Chicago but excludes state tax for Fontana due to lack of approved reference, meaning Chicago’s after-tax income is reduced in the model while Fontana’s is not adjusted, potentially overstating Fontana’s relative disposable income in the comparison.
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.