HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$92,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$85,981 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$75,514 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $112,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $86,240▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $143,360▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $179,200▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $69,136 | +$16,845 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,800 | $98,314▲ | -$17,514 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,514▲ | $60,688 | +$14,826 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $69,136 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.