Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Newark to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chicago has higher median income ($77,902 vs $52,060) and slightly higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,392) than Newark, while both cities share identical 36-minute average commutes. Newark’s lower income is offset by marginally lower housing costs, but Chicago’s stronger earnings potential may better support housing affordability despite higher rents, creating a trade-off where income growth in Chicago could outweigh Newark’s small rent advantage for households prioritizing long-term financial capacity.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → NewarkMoving from Newark to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$48/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$576 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
Equal time
Both cities average the same one-way commute duration.
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 VERDICTNEW → CHI
60/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,264after 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, Newark is about $576 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.
Newark household income$52,060
Chicago household income$77,902
Newark gross rent$1,392
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Newark | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 310,178 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $52,060 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,392 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $373,700 | $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 36 minutes in Newark 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 significantly higher in Chicago
- Median gross rent slightly higher in Chicago
- Identical average one-way commute times
- Home values favor Newark but income gap is larger
What each city wins
Newark
High rent burden. Watch rent vs income balance.
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 offers better income-to-rent balance based on 2024 ACS data?
Chicago shows a more favorable income-to-rent ratio: median income covers 54.1 months of rent versus Newark’s 37.4, indicating stronger relative earning power despite higher absolute rents.
How do housing costs and commutes compare between the two cities?
Newark has marginally lower median gross rent ($1,392 vs $1,440) and slightly higher home values ($373,700 vs $334,100), but both cities report identical 36-minute average commutes, making housing affordability the key differentiator.
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.