Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Chicago, IL
$152,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$142,056 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$124,763 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $152,000▲ | $142,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000▲ | $99,000 | +$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $206,000▲ | $192,000 | +$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $273,000▲ | $255,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $142,056▲ | $114,516 | +$27,540 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,496▲ | $131,208 | +$2,288 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $124,763▲ | $105,813 | +$18,950 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 5,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Chicago, IL pays $10,000 more (median: $152,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($142,056 vs $114,516 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.