Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Laredo to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chicago has higher median household income ($77,902 vs $63,915) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,030) than Laredo. Chicago’s longer commute (36 vs 23 minutes) and 4.95% state income tax (applied in model) offset some income gains, while Laredo’s lower housing costs and shorter commute improve affordability despite lower income. No universal winner exists—trade-offs depend on individual priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → LaredoMoving from Laredo to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$410/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,920 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.
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 VERDICTLAR → CHI
45/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$1,920after 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, Laredo is about $4,920 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.
Laredo household income$63,915
Chicago household income$77,902
Laredo gross rent$1,030
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Laredo | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 257,619 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $63,915 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,030 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $193,500 | $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 23 minutes in Laredo 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 in model
What each city wins
Laredo
Rent-to-income ratio suggests affordability at the city level.. Watch citywide averages may mask significant local cost and income disparities..
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 offers better housing affordability relative to income?
Laredo shows a more favorable rent-to-income ratio: median gross rent is 19.3% of median household income, compared to 22.2% in Chicago, based on 2024 ACS data.
How does commute time affect the overall cost of living comparison?
Chicago’s average one-way commute is 13 minutes longer than Laredo’s, which may increase transportation costs and reduce disposable time, partially counteracting its higher income in the cost-of-living assessment.
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.