Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from San Bernardino to Chicago
Comparing San Bernardino, California, and Chicago, Illinois, using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct housing, income, and commute trade-offs. San Bernardino features a population of 222,724, a median household income of $67,415, and a median owner-occupied home value of $422,300 with a median gross rent of $1,508. Its derived one-way commute estimate is 32 minutes. Conversely, Chicago supports a much larger population of 2,711,226 with a higher median household income of $77,902. Chicago offers a lower median home value of $334,100 and a slightly lower median gross rent of $1,440, alongside a 36-minute derived one-way commute. While state individual income tax is excluded for San Bernardino, Chicago incorporates a simplified 4.95% rate reference. Neither city claims a universal winner.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → San BernardinoMoving from San Bernardino to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$68/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$816/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+4 min / day
Difference of ~33 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 VERDICTSAN → CHI
58/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,656after 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 $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.
San Bernardino household income$67,415
Chicago household income$77,902
San Bernardino gross rent$1,508
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | San Bernardino | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,724 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $67,415 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,508 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $422,300 | $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 32 minutes in San Bernardino 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 scale differences
- Median household income gaps
- Housing affordability and home values
- Commute duration estimates
What each city wins
San Bernardino
Median gross rent stands at $1,508 per month according to 2024 ACS data.. Watch a derived 32-minute one-way commute contrasts with citywide housing costs..
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 San Bernardino and Chicago compare?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, San Bernardino has an estimated population of 222,724, whereas Chicago is significantly larger with an estimated population of 2,711,226.
What are the housing cost differences between San Bernardino and Chicago?
Based on the 2024 ACS data, San Bernardino has a median gross rent of $1,508 and a median owner-occupied home value of $422,300. Chicago exhibits a median gross rent of $1,440 and a median owner-occupied 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.