Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Montgomery to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Montgomery has lower median income ($56,811) and housing costs (rent $1,089, home value $161,900) with a shorter commute (22 min). Chicago shows higher income ($77,902) but elevated housing costs (rent $1,440, home value $334,100) and a longer commute (36 min). Illinois applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model, while Alabama’s rate is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off involves weighing Chicago’s income premium against its higher housing burden and longer commute, versus Montgomery’s affordability and shorter commute relative to its lower income. Neither city universally dominates; the optimal choice depends on individual priorities regarding income, housing affordability, commute tolerance, and tax considerations within the model’s constraints.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → MontgomeryMoving from Montgomery to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$351/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,212 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+14 min / day
Difference of ~117 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 VERDICTMON → CHI
46/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,628after 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, Montgomery is about $4,212 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.
Montgomery household income$56,811
Chicago household income$77,902
Montgomery gross rent$1,089
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Montgomery | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 197,494 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $56,811 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,089 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $161,900 | $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 22 minutes in Montgomery 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 level
- Median gross rent and home value
- One-way commute time estimate
- Modeled state income tax impact
What each city wins
Montgomery
Median rent is below the model’s non-housing baseline.. Watch lower rent may reflect trade-offs in housing quality, age, or location within the city..
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 housing costs compare between the two cities relative to income?
In Montgomery, median gross rent is $1,089 (about 23% of median income), while in Chicago it is $1,440 (about 22% of median income). Despite Chicago’s higher nominal rent, the rent-to-income ratio is slightly lower due to its proportionally higher income.
What is the trade-off between commute time and income when comparing the cities?
Chicago residents earn about 37% more than those in Montgomery but spend 64% more time commuting one-way (36 vs. 22 minutes). This reflects a trade-off where higher income in Chicago is offset by significantly longer travel times, affecting net time and energy available outside work and housing costs.
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.