Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Rochester to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Chicago has higher median household income ($77,902 vs $47,213) and higher median gross rent ($1,440 vs $1,081) than Rochester. Chicago’s longer commute (36 vs 21 minutes) and inclusion of a 4.95% state income tax in the calculator offset some income advantage, while Rochester’s lower housing costs improve affordability despite lower earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → RochesterMoving from Rochester to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$359/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$4,308 more/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 VERDICTROC → CHI
47/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,532after 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, Rochester is about $4,308 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.
Rochester household income$47,213
Chicago household income$77,902
Rochester gross rent$1,081
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Rochester | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 208,772 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $47,213 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,081 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $139,600 | $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 Rochester 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 income in Chicago
- Lower rent in Rochester
- Shorter commute in Rochester
- Tax inclusion affects Chicago net
What each city wins
Rochester
Housing costs align closely with local income levels.. Watch affordability may reflect lower income levels rather than low housing costs alone..
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 offers better housing affordability relative to income?
Rochester shows a more favorable rent-to-income ratio: median rent is about 27% of income versus Chicago’s 22%, but with significantly lower absolute costs, Rochester may ease monthly budget pressure despite lower earnings.
How do commute times and taxes influence the cost comparison between the two cities?
Chicago’s 36-minute commute adds time cost versus Rochester’s 21 minutes, and the 4.95% state income tax in the model reduces take-home pay, partially counteracting Chicago’s higher nominal income in affordability assessments.
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.