HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers 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
$92,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$85,981 vs $64,706
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$75,514 vs $55,693
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $121,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $93,170▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $154,880▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $193,600▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $64,706 | +$21,275 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,800 | $104,145▲ | -$23,345 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,514▲ | $55,693 | +$19,821 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 54,400 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $29,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $64,706 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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.