Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts 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
$98,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$91,589 vs $68,449
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$80,439 vs $58,914
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $128,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000 | $95,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $170,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,000 | $218,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,589▲ | $68,449 | +$23,140 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,070 | $110,170▲ | -$24,100 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,439▲ | $58,914 | +$21,525 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 42,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $30,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($91,589 vs $68,449 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.