Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Tallahassee to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median income ($81,332 vs $57,409) and higher housing costs (rent $1,582 vs $1,293; home value $420,700 vs $294,400) than Tallahassee. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 21 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state income tax in the model, while Tallahassee’s tax is excluded per source boundaries. The trade-off involves weighing Phoenix’s stronger income against its elevated costs and tax, versus Tallahassee’s lower income but more affordable housing and shorter commute, with no universal winner implied.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → TallahasseeMoving from Tallahassee to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$289/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$3,468 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 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 VERDICTTAL → PHX
55/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,116after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Tallahassee is about $3,468 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.
Tallahassee household income$57,409
Phoenix household income$81,332
Tallahassee gross rent$1,293
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Tallahassee | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,875 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $57,409 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,293 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $294,400 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Tallahassee and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Tallahassee
Median rent is $1,293/month; median home value is $294,400.. Watch lower home values may reflect trade-offs in job access or amenities compared to higher-cost florida metros..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between the two cities?
Phoenix has higher median gross rent at $1,582 per month and median home value at $420,700, compared to Tallahassee’s $1,293 rent and $294,400 home value, based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What is the difference in commute times between the cities?
Phoenix residents have a derived one-way commute of 28 minutes, while Tallahassee’s is 21 minutes, both calculated from weighted midpoints in the 2024 ACS table B08303.
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.