Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$87,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$81,308 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$71,410 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $95,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $73,150▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $121,600▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $152,000▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,308▲ | $76,613 | +$4,695 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,409 | $87,780▲ | -$11,371 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,410▲ | $70,790 | +$620 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 57,000 | -4,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($81,308 vs $76,613 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.