Salary Comparison

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$141,407
/ year
+17%
difference
Chicago, IL
$120,461
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$141,407✓ higher
$120,461
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$91,447✓ higher
$77,902
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$218,661✓ higher
$186,272
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$96,059✓ higher
$83,418
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$101,005
$104,749✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,447✓ higher
$77,902
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$218,661✓ higher
$186,272

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$20,946
17% decrease
Take-home change
$12,641
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,744
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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$141,407
P10: $91,447Median: $141,407P90: $218,661
Chicago, IL$120,461
P10: $77,902Median: $120,461P90: $186,272

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Business Intelligence Analyst earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in Boston, MA is $141,407/yr compared to $120,461/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Business Intelligence Analyst salary worth more in Boston or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $101,005/yr in a median-cost city, vs $104,749/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Business Intelligence Analyst in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in Boston, MA takes home approximately $96,059/yr, vs $83,418/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.