Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$124,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$115,888 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$101,779 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000 | $150,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480 | $115,500▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720 | $192,000▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400 | $240,000▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,888▲ | $92,593 | +$23,295 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,904 | $131,670▲ | -$22,766 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,779▲ | $81,278 | +$20,501 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($115,888 vs $92,593 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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.