Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Santa Clarita to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Santa Clarita has a higher median household income ($123,062) and home value ($784,700) than Chicago ($77,902 and $334,100), but also significantly higher median gross rent ($2,544 vs $1,440). Commute times are nearly identical (37 vs 36 minutes). Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model, while Santa Clarita’s tax is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off reflects Santa Clarita’s higher earnings and housing costs versus Chicago’s lower income but more affordable housing and modeled tax burden.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → Santa ClaritaMoving from Santa Clarita to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$1,104/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$13,248/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
-1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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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
71/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$20,088after 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 $13,248 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 Clarita household income$123,062
Chicago household income$77,902
Santa Clarita gross rent$2,544
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Santa Clarita | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 230,221 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $123,062 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $2,544 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $784,700 | $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 37 minutes in Santa Clarita 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
- Median home value
- Modeled state income tax
What each city wins
Santa Clarita
Median rent consumes nearly a quarter of median income.. Watch higher incomes offset high housing costs, but rent burden remains notable..
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 higher housing costs relative to income?
Santa Clarita has a higher median gross rent ($2,544) and home value ($784,700) compared to Chicago ($1,440 rent, $334,100 home value), despite its substantially higher median income, indicating a higher housing cost burden relative to earnings in Santa Clarita.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
Commute times are very similar: Santa Clarita averages 37 minutes one-way and Chicago averages 36 minutes, based on 2024 ACS weighted midpoints from table B08303, showing minimal difference in travel time despite differing city sizes and regional contexts.
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.