Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from St. Petersburg to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, St. Petersburg has a lower median household income ($75,192) than Chicago ($77,902), but higher median gross rent ($1,663 vs $1,440) and home value ($371,100 vs $334,100). Chicago residents face a longer average commute (36 minutes vs 27 minutes) and a state individual income tax of 4.95%, while Florida has no state income tax. These factors create a trade-off: St. Petersburg offers tax savings and shorter commutes at higher housing costs, whereas Chicago provides slightly higher income and lower housing costs but with longer commutes and state taxation.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → St. PetersburgMoving from St. Petersburg to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$223/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$2,676/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.
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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 VERDICTSTP → CHI
57/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,516after 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 $2,676 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.
St. Petersburg household income$75,192
Chicago household income$77,902
St. Petersburg gross rent$1,663
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 262,732 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $75,192 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,663 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $371,100 | $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 St. Petersburg 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 comparison
- Median gross rent and home value
- Average one-way commute time
- State individual income tax presence
What each city wins
St. Petersburg
Median owner-occupied home value of $371,100.. Watch a 27-minute derived commute against 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
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
St. Petersburg has higher median gross rent ($1,663) and home value ($371,100) than Chicago ($1,440 rent, $334,100 value), despite a slightly lower median income, indicating relatively higher housing cost burden.
How do commute and tax factors affect affordability between the two cities?
Chicago has a longer average commute (36 minutes) and a 4.95% state income tax, while St. Petersburg has a shorter commute (27 minutes) and no state income tax, potentially offsetting its higher housing costs for some residents.
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.