Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Salt Lake City to Chicago
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveal distinct trade-offs between Salt Lake City and Chicago. Salt Lake City has a population of 208,007, a median household income of $75,090, and a shorter derived one-way commute of 21 minutes. Its median owner-occupied home value is $539,500, with a median gross rent of $1,414. Conversely, Chicago hosts a much larger population of 2,711,226 with a median household income of $77,902 and a longer commute of 36 minutes. While Chicago's median owner-occupied home value is substantially lower at $334,100, its median gross rent is comparable at $1,440. Additionally, the calculator notes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95% for Illinois, while Salt Lake City's state income tax reference is excluded. Neither city profile assesses neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Salt Lake CityMoving from Salt Lake City to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
+$26/mo
Moving to Chicago costs ~$312 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 VERDICTSAL → CHI
49/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,528after 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, Salt Lake City is about $312 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.
Salt Lake City household income$75,090
Chicago household income$77,902
Salt Lake City gross rent$1,414
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 208,007 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $75,090 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,414 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $539,500 | $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 Salt Lake City 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
- Population size and density differences
- Owner-occupied home value variance
- Derived one-way commute duration
- State income tax reference availability
What each city wins
Salt Lake City
Median owner-occupied home value of $539,500.. Watch a 21-minute commute estimate versus a $539,500 median home value..
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 populations of Salt Lake City and Chicago compare according to the 2024 ACS data?
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates report a population of 208,007 for Salt Lake City, whereas Chicago has a much larger population of 2,711,226.
What are the median owner-occupied home values in Salt Lake City and Chicago?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, the median owner-occupied home value is $539,500 in Salt Lake City and $334,100 in Chicago.
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.