Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$120,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$112,150 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$98,496 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $148,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $112,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,000 | $192,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,000 | $240,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,150▲ | $91,358 | +$20,792 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,391 | $129,914▲ | -$24,523 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,496▲ | $80,194 | +$18,302 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 14,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $28,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($112,150 vs $91,358 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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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.