Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Garland to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Garland has a lower median home value ($270,800 vs $334,100) and higher median gross rent ($1,641 vs $1,440) than Chicago, despite Chicago’s slightly higher median household income ($77,902 vs $76,320). Garland’s shorter commute (32 vs 36 minutes) offsets some housing cost pressure, while Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model, reducing take-home pay relative to Garland’s excluded tax assumption. These factors create a trade-off where Garland favors homebuyers seeking lower entry costs and shorter commutes, while Chicago offers higher income potential at the expense of higher taxes and longer commutes, with renters facing inverted cost dynamics.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → GarlandMoving from Garland to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$201/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$2,412/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+4 min / day
Difference of ~33 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 VERDICTGAR → CHI
59/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,252after 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 $2,412 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.
Garland household income$76,320
Chicago household income$77,902
Garland gross rent$1,641
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Garland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 246,844 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $76,320 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,641 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $270,800 | $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 32 minutes in Garland 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 home value: Garland $270,800, Chicago $334,100
- Median gross rent: Garland $1,641, Chicago $1,440
- Median household income: Garland $76,320, Chicago $77,902
- Commute time: Garland 32 minutes, Chicago 36 minutes
What each city wins
Garland
Median rent consumes roughly 26% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect trade-offs in commute time or neighborhood 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
Which city has a better balance of income and housing costs for homeowners?
Garland offers a lower median home value ($270,800 vs $334,100) with only slightly lower income ($76,320 vs $77,902), resulting in a more favorable home price-to-income ratio for buyers despite Chicago’s higher earnings.
How does the tax assumption affect take-home pay comparison between the two cities?
The model applies a 4.95% state income tax to Chicago but excludes state tax for Garland, meaning Chicago’s effective take-home pay is reduced in the calculation even though its nominal median income is higher.
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.