Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Pittsburgh to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chicago has higher median household income ($77,902 vs $65,742) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,261) than Pittsburgh. Chicago’s longer commute (36 vs 25 minutes) and 4.95% state income tax (excluded for Pittsburgh per source boundaries) create a trade-off: Chicago offers greater earnings potential but higher housing costs and longer travel time, while Pittsburgh provides lower housing burden and shorter commutes at the cost of lower income. Neither city dominates across all factors.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → PittsburghMoving from Pittsburgh to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$179/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$2,148 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+11 min / day
Difference of ~92 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 VERDICTPIT → CHI
50/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$4,692after 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, Pittsburgh is about $2,148 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.
Pittsburgh household income$65,742
Chicago household income$77,902
Pittsburgh gross rent$1,261
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Pittsburgh | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 304,759 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $65,742 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,261 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $205,800 | $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 25 minutes in Pittsburgh 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
- State individual income tax
What each city wins
Pittsburgh
Median rent is 23% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect older housing stock or limited new construction..
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 a better balance of income and housing costs?
Pittsburgh has a lower median gross rent relative to income, with rent at about 23% of median household income versus Chicago’s 22%, making housing slightly more affordable in Pittsburgh when comparing rent-to-income ratios.
How does commute time affect the livability comparison between the two cities?
Pittsburgh’s average one-way commute is 11 minutes shorter than Chicago’s, translating to over 90 hours saved annually per commuter, which may improve quality of life despite Chicago’s higher income potential.
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.