Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$113,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$105,607 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$92,751 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $123,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $94,710▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $157,440▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $196,800▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,607▲ | $99,194 | +$6,413 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,244 | $113,652▲ | -$14,408 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,751▲ | $91,655 | +$1,096 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 30,400 | -2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($105,607 vs $99,194 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.