Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Moreno Valley to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Moreno Valley has higher median income ($93,222 vs $77,902) and home values ($503,700 vs $334,100) but also higher rents ($2,135 vs $1,440) and a longer commute (38 vs 36 minutes). Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model, while Moreno Valley’s tax is excluded per data boundaries. These factors create a trade-off where Moreno Valley offers greater earnings and equity potential but higher housing costs and commute time, whereas Chicago provides lower housing expenses and slightly shorter commutes with a modeled tax burden.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Moreno ValleyMoving from Moreno Valley to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$695/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$8,340/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
-2 min / day
Difference of ~17 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 VERDICTMOR → CHI
69/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$15,180after 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 $8,340 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.
Moreno Valley household income$93,222
Chicago household income$77,902
Moreno Valley gross rent$2,135
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 211,666 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $93,222 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $2,135 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $503,700 | $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 38 minutes in Moreno Valley 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
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax in model
What each city wins
Moreno Valley
Rent-to-income ratio is 27.5%, below typical burden threshold.. Watch affordability varies by neighborhood; citywide data masks local 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 has higher housing costs relative to income?
Moreno Valley has a higher median gross rent ($2,135) compared to Chicago ($1,440), and while its median income is also higher, the rent-to-income ratio is approximately 27.5% in Moreno Valley versus 22.2% in Chicago, indicating relatively higher housing costs in Moreno Valley.
How do home values and commute times compare between the two cities?
Moreno Valley’s median owner-occupied home value is $503,700, significantly higher than Chicago’s $334,100. Commute times are similar, with Moreno Valley at 38 minutes and Chicago at 36 minutes, based on 2024 ACS weighted midpoints from table B08303.
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.