Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$113,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$105,607 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$92,751 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $136,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $104,720▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $174,080▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $217,600▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,607▲ | $83,951 | +$21,656 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,244 | $119,381▲ | -$20,137 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,751▲ | $73,692 | +$19,059 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($105,607 vs $83,951 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.