Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from McKinney to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, McKinney has a higher median household income ($124,215 vs $77,902) and higher median home value ($471,800 vs $334,100) than Chicago, but also higher median gross rent ($1,901 vs $1,440). Chicago has a slightly longer average commute (36 vs 30 minutes) and applies a 4.95% state individual income tax in the calculator, while McKinney’s tax is excluded per data boundaries. These figures reflect trade-offs in affordability, income, and mobility without declaring a universal winner.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → McKinneyMoving from McKinney to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$461/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$5,532/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+6 min / day
Difference of ~50 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 VERDICTMCK → CHI
57/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$12,372after 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 $5,532 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.
McKinney household income$124,215
Chicago household income$77,902
McKinney gross rent$1,901
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | McKinney | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 210,600 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $124,215 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,901 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $471,800 | $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 30 minutes in McKinney 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 McKinney supports greater housing capacity
- Chicago’s lower home values may improve entry affordability
- McKinney’s shorter commute reduces time-related costs
- Tax treatment differs by state in the model assumptions
What each city wins
McKinney
Median home value is nearly 3.8 times median household income.. Watch higher income supports housing costs but may reflect tradeoffs in commute or non-housing expenses..
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 rents compare between the two cities?
McKinney’s median gross rent is $1,901 per month, which is $461 higher than Chicago’s $1,440, according to 2024 ACS 5-year data from Table B25064.
What role does commute time play in the comparison?
McKinney’s derived one-way commute is 30 minutes versus Chicago’s 36 minutes, based on weighted midpoints from 2024 ACS Table B08303, suggesting less time spent traveling in McKinney.
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.