Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$78,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$72,897 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$64,022 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $95,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $72,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,000 | $123,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,000 | $155,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,897▲ | $51,075 | +$21,822 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,504 | $79,616▲ | -$11,112 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,022▲ | $42,804 | +$21,218 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 18,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $17,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($72,897 vs $51,075 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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.