Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Chicago, IL
$235,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$219,626 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$192,890 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $235,000▲ | $225,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $177,000▲ | $168,000 | +$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $308,000▲ | $295,000 | +$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $382,000▲ | $368,000 | +$14,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $219,626▲ | $181,452 | +$38,174 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $206,392 | $207,900▲ | -$1,508 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $192,890▲ | $167,661 | +$25,229 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 6,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Chicago, IL pays $10,000 more (median: $235,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($219,626 vs $181,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Physician City Comparisons
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.