Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Fort Wayne to Chicago
Comparing Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, household economics, and daily transit. Fort Wayne offers a population of 268,589, a lower median household income of $61,422, and more affordable housing with a median gross rent of $999 per month and a median home value of $188,900. Its derived one-way commute is shorter at 23 minutes. In contrast, Chicago supports a much larger population of 2,711,226 with a higher median household income of $77,902, though housing costs increase to $1,440 monthly for gross rent and $334,100 for a home value, alongside a longer 36-minute commute and a simplified 4.95% state income-tax reference.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Fort WayneMoving from Fort Wayne to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$441/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$5,292 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+13 min / day
Difference of ~108 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 VERDICTFOR → CHI
45/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$1,548after 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, Fort Wayne is about $5,292 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.
Fort Wayne household income$61,422
Chicago household income$77,902
Fort Wayne gross rent$999
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 268,589 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $61,422 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $999 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $188,900 | $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 23 minutes in Fort Wayne 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
- Population scale and urban density differences
- Median household income and tax variations
- Housing affordability for renters and owners
- Derived one-way commute duration disparities
What each city wins
Fort Wayne
Rent consumes under 20% of median income locally.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect tradeoffs in job access or amenities..
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 Fort Wayne and Chicago compare according to the 2024 ACS data?
Fort Wayne has a 2024 ACS 5-year population estimate of 268,589, whereas Chicago has a significantly larger population of 2,711,226.
What are the housing and commute differences between Fort Wayne and Chicago?
Fort Wayne features a median gross rent of $999 and a 23-minute commute. Chicago features a median gross rent of $1,440 and a 36-minute commute.
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.