Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX

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

Chicago, IL
$186,555
/ year
+25%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$149,459
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Chicago
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$186,555โœ“ higher
$149,459
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$120,644โœ“ higher
$96,654
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$288,474โœ“ higher
$231,112
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$124,679โœ“ higher
$100,918
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$162,222
$169,840โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$120,644โœ“ higher
$96,654
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$288,474โœ“ higher
$231,112

What if you move from Chicago to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$37,096
25% decrease
Take-home change
$23,761
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,618
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$186,555
P10: $120,644Median: $186,555P90: $288,474
San Antonio, TX$149,459
P10: $96,654Median: $149,459P90: $231,112

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Computer Vision Engineer earn more in Chicago or San Antonio?

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $186,555/yr compared to $149,459/yr in San Antonio, TX. Chicago pays 25% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Computer Vision Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or San Antonio after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $162,222/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,840/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Computer Vision Engineer in Chicago vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $124,679/yr, vs $100,918/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.