Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Chicago, IL
$98,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$91,589 vs $74,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$80,439 vs $68,555
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000▲ | $92,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000▲ | $68,000 | +$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000▲ | $120,000 | +$8,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,000▲ | $155,000 | +$9,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,589▲ | $74,194 | +$17,395 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,070▲ | $85,008 | +$1,062 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,439▲ | $68,555 | +$11,884 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 9,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Chicago, IL pays $6,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($91,589 vs $74,194 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.