Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$120,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$112,150 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$98,496 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $158,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $120,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,000 | $205,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,000 | $258,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,150▲ | $84,492 | +$27,658 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,391 | $135,992▲ | -$30,601 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,496▲ | $72,723 | +$25,773 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 24,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $38,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($112,150 vs $84,492 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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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.