Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Plano to Chicago
Comparing Plano, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois, using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, income, housing, and transit. Plano registers a population of 290,594, a higher median household income of $112,253, and a shorter derived one-way commute of 27 minutes. However, its housing costs are higher, with a median gross rent of $1,841 and a median home value of $465,900. Conversely, Chicago hosts a much larger population of 2,711,226 with a lower median household income of $77,902 and a longer commute of 36 minutes, but features more affordable housing options, including a median gross rent of $1,440 and a median home value of $334,100. Additionally, the calculator applies a simplified 4.95% state income tax reference for Illinois, while Plano has no state income tax data included.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → PlanoMoving from Plano to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$401/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$4,812/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+9 min / day
Difference of ~75 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 VERDICTPLA → CHI
56/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$11,652after 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 $4,812 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.
Plano household income$112,253
Chicago household income$77,902
Plano gross rent$1,841
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Plano | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 290,594 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $112,253 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,841 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $465,900 | $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 27 minutes in Plano 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
- Plano offers a significantly higher median household income.
- Chicago features lower median gross rent and home values.
- Plano provides a shorter derived one-way commute time.
- Chicago accommodates a much larger total population scale.
What each city wins
Plano
Rent-to-income ratio suggests rental affordability.. Watch home values may strain affordability despite favorable rental metrics..
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 the population sizes of Plano and Chicago compare?
According to the 2024 ACS estimates, Chicago has a population of 2,711,226, whereas Plano is much smaller with an estimated population of 290,594.
What are the median housing costs in Plano versus Chicago?
The 2024 ACS data shows that Plano has a median gross rent of $1,841 and a median home value of $465,900, while Chicago reports a lower median gross rent of $1,440 and a median home value of $334,100.
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.