Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$122,000 vs $147,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$114,019 vs $90,741
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$100,138 vs $79,652
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $147,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,940 | $113,190▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,160 | $188,160▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,200 | $235,200▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,019▲ | $90,741 | +$23,278 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,148 | $129,037▲ | -$21,889 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $100,138▲ | $79,652 | +$20,486 |
| 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 $25,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $147,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($114,019 vs $90,741 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.