Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers 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
$102,000 vs $134,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$95,327 vs $71,658
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$83,722 vs $61,676
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $134,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540 | $103,180▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560 | $171,520▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200 | $214,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,327▲ | $71,658 | +$23,669 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,583 | $115,335▲ | -$25,752 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,722▲ | $61,676 | +$22,046 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 54,400 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $134,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($95,327 vs $71,658 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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.