Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Richmond to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Richmond has a lower median household income ($64,587) than Chicago ($77,902), but also lower median gross rent ($1,372 vs $1,440) and higher median home value ($353,000 vs $334,100). Richmond’s shorter commute (23 min vs 36 min) offsets some income disparity, while Chicago’s higher income is partially offset by higher housing costs and longer commute. No state income tax is applied to Richmond per source constraints; Chicago uses a 4.95% reference rate in the model, which is not a liability claim. The uniform non-housing baseline ($1,250/month) is a shared assumption. Trade-offs involve income, housing costs, commute time, and tax treatment—none of which alone determine superiority.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → RichmondMoving from Richmond to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$68/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$816 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+13 min / day
Difference of ~108 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 VERDICTRIC → CHI
51/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,024after 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, Richmond is about $816 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.
Richmond household income$64,587
Chicago household income$77,902
Richmond gross rent$1,372
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Richmond | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 229,359 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $64,587 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,372 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $353,000 | $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 23 minutes in Richmond 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 income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Richmond
Median rent is $1,372/month; median home value is $353,000.. Watch lower home values may reflect older housing stock or fewer amenities compared to higher-cost metros..
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 does Richmond’s lower income compare to Chicago’s when accounting for rent and commute?
Richmond’s median income is $13,315 lower than Chicago’s, but its median rent is $68 lower monthly and commute 13 minutes shorter. These differences partially offset the income gap, though rent and commute savings do not fully compensate for the income disparity in absolute terms.
Does the median home value suggest Richmond or Chicago offers better home equity potential?
Richmond’s median owner-occupied home value is $18,900 higher than Chicago’s ($353,000 vs $334,100), indicating greater potential home equity accumulation in Richmond based on this metric alone, though it does not reflect appreciation rates, property taxes, or neighborhood variation.
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.