Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$235,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$219,626 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$192,890 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $235,000 | $260,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $177,000 | $195,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $308,000 | $340,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $382,000 | $420,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $219,626▲ | $139,785 | +$79,841 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $206,392 | $217,898▲ | -$11,506 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $192,890▲ | $117,149 | +$75,741 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 8,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $235,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($219,626 vs $139,785 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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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.