Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: New York, NY vs Chicago, IL
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$128,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$68,449 vs $91,589
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$58,914 vs $80,439
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Chicago, IL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000▲ | $98,000 | +$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000▲ | $72,000 | +$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,000▲ | $128,000 | +$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $218,000▲ | $164,000 | +$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 107 | +80 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.95%▲ | +1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,449 | $91,589▲ | -$23,140 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,170▲ | $86,070 | +$24,100 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,914 | $80,439▲ | -$21,525 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 18,000 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Chicago, IL.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $30,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 107), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($68,449 vs $91,589 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.