Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Santa Ana to Chicago
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveal distinct profiles for Santa Ana, California, and Chicago, Illinois. Santa Ana boasts a higher median household income and median owner-occupied home value, but also a higher median gross rent. In contrast, Chicago has a larger population and a lower median gross rent, but also a lower median household income. The derived one-way commute estimate is shorter in Santa Ana. Considering the housing-income-commute-tax trade-off, individuals must weigh the importance of each factor. For instance, a higher income in Santa Ana may be offset by higher housing costs, while Chicago's lower rent may be accompanied by a longer commute and lower income. The state individual income-tax reference also differs, with Chicago's calculator using a 4.95% rate. Ultimately, the decision depends on individual priorities and circumstances.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Santa AnaMoving from Santa Ana to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$642/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$7,704/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+9 min / day
Difference of ~75 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
61/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$14,544after 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 $7,704 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.
Santa Ana household income$93,999
Chicago household income$77,902
Santa Ana gross rent$2,082
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Santa Ana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 312,534 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $93,999 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $2,082 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $713,000 | $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 27 minutes in Santa Ana 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 income
- housing costs
- commute time
- tax rates
What each city wins
Santa Ana
Median rent consumes over a quarter of median income.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity but increase entry barriers..
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 a higher median household income?
Santa Ana, California, with a median household income of $93,999.
How do the median gross rents compare between the two cities?
Santa Ana's median gross rent is $2,082, while Chicago's is $1,440.
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.