Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$47,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$43,925 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$38,578 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $57,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $43,890▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $72,960▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $91,200▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,925▲ | $35,185 | +$8,740 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $41,278 | $50,035▲ | -$8,757 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,578▲ | $30,886 | +$7,692 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 105,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($43,925 vs $35,185 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.