Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$78,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$72,897 vs $52,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$64,022 vs $45,106
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $98,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $74,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,000 | $127,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,000 | $160,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,897▲ | $52,406 | +$20,491 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,504 | $84,349▲ | -$15,845 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,022▲ | $45,106 | +$18,916 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 45,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($72,897 vs $52,406 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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.