Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Little Rock to Chicago
When comparing Little Rock, Arkansas, and Chicago, Illinois, using 2024 ACS data, distinct economic and lifestyle trade-offs emerge. Little Rock features a lower population estimate of 203,436, a median household income of $63,003, and more affordable housing with a median gross rent of $1,106 and median home value of $236,400. Its derived one-way commute is shorter at 20 minutes, and the provided profile excludes state income tax references. Conversely, Chicago offers a significantly larger population of 2,711,226 and a higher median household income of $77,902, offset by higher housing costs including a median gross rent of $1,440 and median home value of $334,100. Chicago's derived commute extends to 36 minutes, and its model includes a simplified 4.95% state income tax reference. Both cities share a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month, and citywide metrics do not measure neighborhood safety, schools, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Little RockMoving from Little Rock to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$334/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,008 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+16 min / day
Difference of ~133 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 VERDICTLIT → CHI
45/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,832after 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, Little Rock is about $4,008 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.
Little Rock household income$63,003
Chicago household income$77,902
Little Rock gross rent$1,106
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Little Rock | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 203,436 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $63,003 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,106 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $236,400 | $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 20 minutes in Little Rock 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
- Population scale difference between Little Rock and Chicago
- Median household income comparison
- Housing affordability across rent and home values
- Derived one-way commute duration variance
What each city wins
Little Rock
Affordability uncertain. Watch housing costs 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 the median household incomes compare between Little Rock and Chicago?
According to the 2024 ACS data, Chicago has a median household income of $77,902, while Little Rock records a median household income of $63,003.
What are the housing cost differences in rent and home values?
Little Rock features a median gross rent of $1,106 and a median home value of $236,400, whereas Chicago's median gross rent is $1,440 with a median home value of $334,100.
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.