Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$152,000 vs $195,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$142,056 vs $104,839
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$124,763 vs $87,862
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $152,000 | $195,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000 | $138,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $206,000 | $265,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $273,000 | $350,000▲ | -$77,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $142,056▲ | $104,839 | +$37,217 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,496 | $163,423▲ | -$29,927 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $124,763▲ | $87,862 | +$36,901 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 6,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $43,000 more (median: $152,000 vs $195,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($142,056 vs $104,839 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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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.