Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$124,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$115,888 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$101,779 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000 | $163,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480 | $125,510▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720 | $208,640▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400 | $260,800▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,888▲ | $87,166 | +$28,722 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,904 | $140,295▲ | -$31,391 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,779▲ | $75,024 | +$26,755 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 54,400 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $39,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($115,888 vs $87,166 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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.