Salary Comparison

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Austin, TX
$116,895
/ year
+4%
difference
Chicago, IL
$112,396
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$116,895โœ“ higher
$112,396
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$75,595โœ“ higher
$72,686
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$180,757โœ“ higher
$173,801
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$81,266โœ“ higher
$78,550
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,371โœ“ higher
$97,736
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
1.15ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$75,595โœ“ higher
$72,686
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$180,757โœ“ higher
$173,801

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$4,499
4% decrease
Take-home change
$2,716
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$6,635
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$116,895
P10: $75,595Median: $116,895P90: $180,757
Chicago, IL$112,396
P10: $72,686Median: $112,396P90: $173,801

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Business Intelligence Analyst earn more in Austin or Chicago?

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in Austin, TX is $116,895/yr compared to $112,396/yr in Chicago, IL. Austin pays 4% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Business Intelligence Analyst salary worth more in Austin or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $104,371/yr in a median-cost city, vs $97,736/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Business Intelligence Analyst in Austin vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in Austin, TX takes home approximately $81,266/yr, vs $78,550/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.