Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: New York, NY vs Chicago, IL
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$210,000 vs $152,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$112,299 vs $142,056
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$96,657 vs $124,763
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Chicago, IL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000▲ | $152,000 | +$58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $107,000 | +$41,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $285,000▲ | $206,000 | +$79,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $378,000▲ | $273,000 | +$105,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 107 | +80 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.95%▲ | +1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,299 | $142,056▲ | -$29,757 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $180,748▲ | $133,496 | +$47,252 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,657 | $124,763▲ | -$28,106 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 12,000 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Chicago, IL.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $58,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $152,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 107), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($112,299 vs $142,056 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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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.