Salary Comparison

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

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

Chicago, IL
$120,461
/ year
+24%
difference
Houston, TX
$97,417
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$120,461✓ higher
$97,417
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$77,902✓ higher
$62,999
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$186,272✓ higher
$150,638
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$83,418✓ higher
$69,511
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,749✓ higher
$99,405
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$77,902✓ higher
$62,999
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$186,272✓ higher
$150,638

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$23,044
24% decrease
Take-home change
$13,907
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,344
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

Chicago, IL$120,461
P10: $77,902Median: $120,461P90: $186,272
Houston, TX$97,417
P10: $62,999Median: $97,417P90: $150,638

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $120,461/yr compared to $97,417/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 24% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $104,749/yr in a median-cost city, vs $99,405/yr for Houston. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $83,418/yr, vs $69,511/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.