Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Madison to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Madison and Chicago show nearly identical median household incomes ($78,050 vs $77,902), but Madison has higher median home values ($372,900 vs $334,100) and slightly lower gross rent ($1,413 vs $1,440). Chicago residents face a longer average commute (36 minutes vs 21 minutes). Illinois applies a flat 4.95% state income tax in the model, while Wisconsin’s rate is excluded per data constraints. These trade-offs reflect differing cost-of-living balances: Madison offers shorter commutes and lower taxes in the model but higher home values; Chicago provides lower home values and rent at the cost of longer commutes and modeled tax liability. Neither city dominates across all factors, highlighting localized affordability and lifestyle trade-offs.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → MadisonMoving from Madison to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$27/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$324 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+15 min / day
Difference of ~125 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 VERDICTMAD → CHI
49/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,516after 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, Madison is about $324 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.
Madison household income$78,050
Chicago household income$77,902
Madison gross rent$1,413
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Madison | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 278,001 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $78,050 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,413 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $372,900 | $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 21 minutes in Madison 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 nearly equal
- Madison has higher home values
- Chicago has longer average commute
- Illinois models 4.95% state income tax
What each city wins
Madison
Median rent is 21.7% of median income.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity potential despite monthly 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
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Madison has a higher median home value ($372,900) compared to Chicago ($334,100), while median gross rent is slightly lower in Madison ($1,413) than Chicago ($1,440), indicating Madison’s ownership costs are relatively higher despite similar incomes.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
The derived one-way commute estimate is 21 minutes for Madison and 36 minutes for Chicago, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B08303, indicating Chicago residents spend significantly more time commuting on average.
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.