Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$152,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$142,056 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$124,763 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $152,000 | $178,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000 | $126,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $206,000 | $242,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $273,000 | $320,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $142,056▲ | $109,877 | +$32,179 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,496 | $156,248▲ | -$22,752 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $124,763▲ | $96,449 | +$28,314 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 8,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $152,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($142,056 vs $109,877 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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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.