Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts 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
$98,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$91,589 vs $60,215
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$80,439 vs $50,465
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $112,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000 | $82,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $148,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,000 | $190,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,589▲ | $60,215 | +$31,374 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,070 | $93,864▲ | -$7,794 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,439▲ | $50,465 | +$29,974 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 14,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($91,589 vs $60,215 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.