Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$49,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$45,794 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$40,220 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $59,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $45,430▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $75,520▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $94,400▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,794▲ | $36,420 | +$9,374 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,035 | $51,790▲ | -$8,755 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,220▲ | $31,969 | +$8,251 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 105,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($45,794 vs $36,420 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.