Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$120,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$112,150 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$98,496 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $165,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $125,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,000 | $215,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,000 | $270,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,150▲ | $88,710 | +$23,440 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,391 | $138,281▲ | -$32,890 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,496▲ | $74,345 | +$24,151 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 18,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($112,150 vs $88,710 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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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.