Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Overland Park to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Overland Park has higher median income ($104,834 vs $77,902) and home values ($413,600 vs $334,100) but lower median gross rent ($1,515 vs $1,440) than Chicago. Overland Park’s shorter commute (21 vs 36 minutes) offsets its higher housing costs relative to income, while Chicago’s lower income is partially balanced by a flat 4.95% state income tax applied in the model—though actual tax burden varies. Neither city clearly dominates; the trade-off depends on whether one prioritizes income and time (Overland Park) or urban access despite lower earnings and longer commutes (Chicago).
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Overland ParkMoving from Overland Park to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$75/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$900/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.
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 VERDICTOVE → CHI
48/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,740after 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 $900 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.
Overland Park household income$104,834
Chicago household income$77,902
Overland Park gross rent$1,515
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Overland Park | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 200,306 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $104,834 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,515 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $413,600 | $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 Overland Park 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
- One-way commute time
- Modeled state income tax impact
What each city wins
Overland Park
Rent consumes ~17% of median income, below affordability threshold.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity but increase entry barriers..
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 relative to income in each city?
In Overland Park, median gross rent is about 17.3% of median household income, while in Chicago it is approximately 22.2%, indicating relatively lower housing cost burden in Overland Park despite higher nominal rents.
What role does commute time play in the overall affordability comparison?
Overland Park’s 21-minute commute saves 15 minutes daily versus Chicago’s 36-minute average, translating to over an hour weekly in time savings—valuable when weighed against income and housing cost differences.
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.