Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$72,897 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$64,022 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $88,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $67,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,000 | $114,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,000 | $143,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,897▲ | $54,321 | +$18,576 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,504 | $77,246▲ | -$8,742 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,022▲ | $47,683 | +$16,339 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 20,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($72,897 vs $54,321 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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.