Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$84,112 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$73,873 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $108,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $83,160▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $138,240▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $172,800▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,112▲ | $66,667 | +$17,445 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,044 | $94,802▲ | -$15,758 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,873▲ | $58,520 | +$15,353 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $18,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($84,112 vs $66,667 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.