Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Huntington Beach to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Huntington Beach has a median household income of $120,919 and median home value of $1,100,000, while Chicago reports $77,902 income and $334,100 home value. Huntington Beach residents face higher housing costs relative to income but have a shorter estimated commute (31 vs 36 minutes). Chicago’s calculator applies a 4.95% state income tax rate in its model, whereas Huntington Beach’s profile excludes state tax due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a modeling assumption applied equally to both cities and does not reflect local cost variations.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Huntington BeachMoving from Huntington Beach to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$1,070/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$12,840/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 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 VERDICTHUN → CHI
68/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$19,680after 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 $12,840 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.
Huntington Beach household income$120,919
Chicago household income$77,902
Huntington Beach gross rent$2,510
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Huntington Beach | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 195,240 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $120,919 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $2,510 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $1,100,000 | $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 31 minutes in Huntington Beach 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
- Higher income in Huntington Beach offsets some housing cost burden
- Chicago’s lower home values increase access to ownership despite lower income
- Commute times favor Huntington Beach by 5 minutes on average
- Tax treatment differs in model: Chicago includes 4.95% state rate, Huntington Beach excludes state tax
What each city wins
Huntington Beach
Median home value is nine times median household income.. Watch high home values reflect strong demand but limit access for middle-income households despite relatively moderate rent burdens..
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 does median rent compare between the two cities?
Huntington Beach’s median gross rent is $2,510 per month, significantly higher than Chicago’s $1,440, according to 2024 ACS Table B25064, reflecting regional rental market differences.
What role does the uniform non-housing baseline play in comparisons?
The $1,250 monthly uniform non-housing baseline is a standardized model input for both cities, not a local measurement, used to isolate housing-related cost differences in the calculator’s framework.
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.