Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Worcester to Chicago
Comparing Worcester, Massachusetts, and Chicago, Illinois, using 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, income, housing costs, and commute times. Worcester has an estimated population of 207,055, a median household income of $70,102, a median gross rent of $1,487 per month, a median owner-occupied home value of $374,400, and a derived one-way commute of 27 minutes. In contrast, Chicago supports a much larger population of 2,711,226 with a median household income of $77,902, a slightly lower median gross rent of $1,440 per month, a median owner-occupied home value of $334,100, and a longer derived one-way commute of 36 minutes. Furthermore, Chicago incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 4.95%, whereas Worcester's state individual income tax is excluded due to lack of an approved official reference. Neither profile establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Chicago → WorcesterMoving from Worcester to Chicago
Median Rent Impact
-$47/mo
Moving to Chicago saves ~$564/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 VERDICTWOR → CHI
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,404after 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 $564 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.
Worcester household income$70,102
Chicago household income$77,902
Worcester gross rent$1,487
Chicago gross rent$1,440
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Worcester | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 207,055 | 2,711,226 |
| Median household income | $70,102 | $77,902 |
| Median gross rent | $1,487 | $1,440 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $374,400 | $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 27 minutes in Worcester 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
- Worcester has a smaller population of 207,055 compared to Chicago's 2,711,226.
- Chicago features a higher median household income of $77,902 versus Worcester's $70,102.
- Worcester records a higher median owner-occupied home value of $374,400 than Chicago's $334,100.
- Worcester offers a shorter derived commute of 27 minutes compared to Chicago's 36 minutes.
What each city wins
Worcester
A median owner-occupied home value of $374,400.. Watch a 27-minute derived commute against citywide median 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
How do median gross rents compare between Worcester and Chicago?
According to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Worcester has a median gross rent of $1,487 per month, while Chicago's median gross rent is slightly lower at $1,440 per month. These figures represent citywide ACS data rather than live asking rents.
What are the population and commute time differences between the two cities?
Worcester is the smaller city with an estimated population of 207,055 and a derived one-way commute of 27 minutes. Chicago is significantly larger with 2,711,226 residents and a longer derived one-way commute of 36 minutes.
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.