College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$70,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$65,421 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$57,456 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $85,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $65,450▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $108,800▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $136,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,421▲ | $52,469 | +$12,952 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,478 | $74,613▲ | -$13,135 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,456▲ | $46,057 | +$11,399 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 63,000 | -10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($65,421 vs $52,469 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.