Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Tacoma to Chicago
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Tacoma has a higher median household income ($85,884 vs $77,902) and higher median home value ($479,600 vs $334,100) than Chicago, but also higher median gross rent ($1,676 vs $1,440). Chicago reports a longer average one-way commute (36 minutes vs 31 minutes). The calculator applies a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month and uses a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95% for Illinois; Washington state individual income tax is excluded per profile constraints. These figures reflect trade-offs in housing affordability, income, commute time, and tax assumptions, but no universal winner is declared as suitability depends on individual priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → TacomaMoving from Tacoma to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$236/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$2,832/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 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 VERDICTTAC → CHI
58/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,672after 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 $2,832 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.
Tacoma household income$85,884
Chicago household income$77,902
Tacoma gross rent$1,676
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Tacoma | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,758 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $85,884 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,676 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $479,600 | $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 31 minutes in Tacoma 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 owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute estimate
What each city wins
Tacoma
Median rent consumes roughly 23% of median income.. Watch lower rent than many west coast cities but offset by moderate incomes and commute times..
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 Tacoma and Chicago compare in housing costs relative to income?
Tacoma has a higher median household income ($85,884) and higher median gross rent ($1,676) than Chicago ($77,902 income, $1,440 rent), resulting in a rent-to-income ratio of approximately 23.4% in Tacoma versus 22.2% in Chicago, indicating slightly higher housing cost burden relative to income in Tacoma.
What role does the state individual income tax play in the comparison between these cities?
The calculator applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95% for Illinois (Chicago) but excludes Washington state individual income tax for Tacoma due to lack of an approved official reference in the current profile; this difference affects net income estimates but does not reflect actual personal tax liability.
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.