Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Chicago, IL
$78,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$72,897 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$64,022 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000▲ | $75,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000▲ | $57,000 | +$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,000▲ | $97,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,000▲ | $122,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,897▲ | $60,484 | +$12,413 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,504 | $69,300▲ | -$796 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,022▲ | $55,887 | +$8,135 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 14,000 | +11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Chicago, IL pays $3,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($72,897 vs $60,484 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.