Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Jersey City to Chicago
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveal distinct financial trade-offs between Jersey City, New Jersey, and Chicago, Illinois. Jersey City reports a higher median household income of $97,710 compared to Chicago's $77,902. However, housing costs reflect this disparity: Jersey City's median gross rent is $2,007 per month and median owner-occupied home value is $566,900, whereas Chicago offers lower median gross rent at $1,440 per month and a median home value of $334,100. Commute times are comparable, with Jersey City averaging 40 minutes and Chicago averaging 36 minutes. Additionally, Chicago includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95%, while Jersey City's state individual income tax is deliberately excluded. Neither citywide dataset establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Jersey CityMoving from Jersey City to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$567/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$6,804/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.
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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 VERDICTJER → CHI
67/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$13,644after 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 $6,804 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.
Jersey City household income$97,710
Chicago household income$77,902
Jersey City gross rent$2,007
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Jersey City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 294,078 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $97,710 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $2,007 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $566,900 | $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 40 minutes in Jersey City 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 disparities
- Gross rent and home value differences
- Derived one-way commute time comparison
- State individual income-tax reference availability
What each city wins
Jersey City
Median household income of $97,710 against a $2,007 median gross rent.. Watch a derived 40-minute one-way commute estimate alongside citywide housing costs..
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 incomes and housing costs compare between Jersey City and Chicago?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Jersey City has a median household income of $97,710, a median gross rent of $2,007, and a median home value of $566,900. Chicago records a median household income of $77,902, a lower median gross rent of $1,440, and a median home value of $334,100.
What are the commute times and tax differences for these two cities?
Jersey City features a derived one-way commute estimate of 40 minutes with no state individual income tax reference included. Chicago features a 36-minute commute estimate and includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95%.
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.