Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Greensboro to Chicago
The 2024 ACS 5-year data shows Chicago has higher median income ($77,902 vs $61,515) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,172) than Greensboro. Greensboro offers lower housing costs and a shorter commute (23 vs 36 minutes), while Chicago provides greater income potential. Illinois applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model, though North Carolina’s rate is excluded per source constraints. Neither city universally dominates; the trade-off hinges on whether prioritizing income and urban access (Chicago) or affordability and shorter commutes (Greensboro) aligns better with individual circumstances.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → GreensboroMoving from Greensboro to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$268/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$3,216 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.
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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 VERDICTGRE → CHI
48/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,624after 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, Greensboro is about $3,216 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.
Greensboro household income$61,515
Chicago household income$77,902
Greensboro gross rent$1,172
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Greensboro | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 301,198 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $61,515 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,172 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $244,800 | $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 23 minutes in Greensboro 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
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment
What each city wins
Greensboro
Citywide data. Watch rent vs income.
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 housing costs compare between the two cities?
Greensboro’s median gross rent is $1,172 per month, while Chicago’s is $1,440, making Greensboro more affordable for renters based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What is the difference in commute times between the cities?
Greensboro’s derived one-way commute is 23 minutes, compared to Chicago’s 36 minutes, indicating a 13-minute shorter average commute in Greensboro.
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.