Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Reno to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Reno has a higher median household income ($80,760 vs $77,902) and higher median home value ($548,300 vs $334,100) than Chicago, but also higher median gross rent ($1,556 vs $1,440). Reno’s shorter commute (22 vs 36 minutes) offsets some housing cost pressure, while Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model, reducing take-home pay relative to Reno’s untaxed baseline. These factors create a trade-off where Reno favors income and time efficiency, while Chicago offers lower home values and rent but longer commutes and tax deductions.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → RenoMoving from Reno to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$116/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$1,392/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+14 min / day
Difference of ~117 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 VERDICTREN → CHI
51/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$8,232after 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 $1,392 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.
Reno household income$80,760
Chicago household income$77,902
Reno gross rent$1,556
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Reno | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 273,212 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $80,760 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,556 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $548,300 | $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 22 minutes in Reno 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
- Higher median income in Reno
- Lower median home value in Chicago
- Shorter commute time in Reno
- State income tax modeled only for Chicago
What each city wins
Reno
Median rent is 23% of median income.. Watch lower rent burden but high home values limit purchase affordability..
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?
Reno has a higher median gross rent ($1,556) and median home value ($548,300) than Chicago ($1,440 rent, $334,100 value), despite Reno’s slightly higher income, making housing cost burden greater in Reno.
How does commute time affect the livability comparison between the two cities?
Reno’s average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 14 minutes shorter than Chicago’s 36 minutes, giving Reno residents significant time savings that may offset higher housing costs in daily life quality.
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.