Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$128,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$119,626 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$105,064 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $168,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,000 | $128,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $165,000 | $215,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $205,000 | $265,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $119,626▲ | $89,840 | +$29,786 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $112,418 | $144,599▲ | -$32,181 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $105,064▲ | $77,326 | +$27,738 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 68,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $40,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($119,626 vs $89,840 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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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.