Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts 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
$87,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$81,308 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$71,410 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $119,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $91,630▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $152,320▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $190,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,308▲ | $63,978 | +$17,330 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,409 | $99,730▲ | -$23,321 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,410▲ | $53,618 | +$17,792 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 78,000 | -25,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($81,308 vs $63,978 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.