Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Grand Prairie to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Grand Prairie has a higher median household income ($81,619 vs $77,902) and lower median gross rent ($1,629 vs $1,440) than Chicago, though rent is still above the uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250. Grand Prairie’s median home value is lower ($295,500 vs $334,100), and its estimated one-way commute is shorter (30 vs 36 minutes). Chicago applies a simplified state individual income-tax rate of 4.95% in the calculator, while Texas state income tax is excluded per current reference boundaries. These factors create a trade-off: Grand Prairie offers higher income and lower housing costs relative to home value, but Chicago’s data includes a state tax factor in the model. Neither city universally dominates across all metrics.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Grand PrairieMoving from Grand Prairie to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$189/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$2,268/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+6 min / day
Difference of ~50 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 VERDICTGRA → CHI
57/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,108after 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 $2,268 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.
Grand Prairie household income$81,619
Chicago household income$77,902
Grand Prairie gross rent$1,629
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Grand Prairie | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,883 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $81,619 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,629 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $295,500 | $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 30 minutes in Grand Prairie 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
- Estimated one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax treatment in calculator
What each city wins
Grand Prairie
Median rent is 24% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect longer commutes or fewer 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 median rents compare between the two cities?
Grand Prairie’s median gross rent is $1,629 per month, which is $189 higher than Chicago’s $1,440, according to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What is the difference in estimated commute times?
Grand Prairie’s derived one-way commute estimate is 30 minutes, 6 minutes less than Chicago’s 36-minute estimate, based on weighted midpoints from ACS table B08303.
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.