Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$235,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$219,626 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$192,890 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $235,000 | $252,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $177,000 | $190,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $308,000 | $330,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $382,000 | $410,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $219,626▲ | $155,556 | +$64,070 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $206,392 | $221,206▲ | -$14,814 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $192,890▲ | $136,547 | +$56,343 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $235,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($219,626 vs $155,556 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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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.