College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$70,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$65,421 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$57,456 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $77,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $59,290▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $98,560▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $123,200▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,421▲ | $62,097 | +$3,324 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,478 | $71,148▲ | -$9,670 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,456▲ | $57,377 | +$79 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 57,000 | -4,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $7,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($65,421 vs $62,097 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.