Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer 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
$230,461
/ year
+24%
difference
Chicago, IL
$186,555
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$230,461✓ higher
$186,555
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$149,038✓ higher
$120,644
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$356,367✓ higher
$288,474
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$154,535✓ higher
$124,679
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$164,615✓ higher
$162,222
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$149,038✓ higher
$120,644
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$356,367✓ higher
$288,474

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$43,906
24% decrease
Take-home change
$29,856
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,393
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$230,461
P10: $149,038Median: $230,461P90: $356,367
Chicago, IL$186,555
P10: $120,644Median: $186,555P90: $288,474

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Computer Vision Engineer earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $230,461/yr compared to $186,555/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 24% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Computer Vision Engineer 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 $164,615/yr in a median-cost city, vs $162,222/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Computer Vision Engineer in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $154,535/yr, vs $124,679/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.