Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Vancouver to Chicago
Using 2024 ACS 5-year data, Vancouver, WA has higher median income ($81,338) and home value ($462,400) but lower rent ($1,702) than Chicago, IL ($77,902 income, $334,100 home value, $1,440 rent). Vancouver’s 25-minute commute beats Chicago’s 36 minutes, though Chicago applies a 4.95% state income tax in the model while Vancouver’s state tax is excluded per source boundaries. The trade-off involves Vancouver’s stronger income and shorter commute versus Chicago’s lower housing costs and tax-inclusive calculator.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → VancouverMoving from Vancouver to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$262/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$3,144/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.0%
~$4,950 more state tax on a $100k salary in Illinois.
Daily Commute Difference
+11 min / day
Difference of ~92 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 VERDICTVAN → CHI
56/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,984after 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 $3,144 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.
Vancouver household income$81,338
Chicago household income$77,902
Vancouver gross rent$1,702
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Vancouver | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 195,300 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $81,338 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,702 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $462,400 | $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 25 minutes in Vancouver 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 levels
- One-way commute time estimates
- State income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Vancouver
Median rent is 41% of median monthly income.. Watch lower home values than nearby portland but rising rents pressure affordability..
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 median household income according to 2024 ACS?
Vancouver, Washington has a higher median household income at $81,338 compared to Chicago, Illinois at $77,902, based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates from Table B19013.
How do commute times differ between the two cities?
Vancouver, Washington has a derived one-way commute estimate of 25 minutes, while Chicago, Illinois has a longer estimate of 36 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.