Salary Comparison

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Chicago, IL
$120,461
/ year
+8%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$111,034
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Chicago
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$120,461โœ“ higher
$111,034
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$77,902โœ“ higher
$71,805
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$186,272โœ“ higher
$171,694
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$83,418โœ“ higher
$77,729
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,749โœ“ higher
$102,809
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15ร—
1.08ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$77,902โœ“ higher
$71,805
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$186,272โœ“ higher
$171,694

What if you move from Chicago to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$9,427
8% decrease
Take-home change
$5,689
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,940
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

Chicago, IL$120,461
P10: $77,902Median: $120,461P90: $186,272
Philadelphia, PA$111,034
P10: $71,805Median: $111,034P90: $171,694

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $120,461/yr compared to $111,034/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Chicago pays 8% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Business Intelligence Analyst salary worth more in Chicago or Philadelphia 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 $102,809/yr for Philadelphia. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $83,418/yr, vs $77,729/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.