Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$183,550
/ year
+5%
difference
Chicago, IL
$174,064
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$183,550✓ higher
$174,064
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$118,701✓ higher
$112,566
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$283,828✓ higher
$269,159
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$122,636✓ higher
$116,185
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$133,007
$151,360✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$118,701✓ higher
$112,566
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$283,828✓ higher
$269,159

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$9,486
5% decrease
Take-home change
$6,451
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$18,353
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

Los Angeles, CA$183,550
P10: $118,701Median: $183,550P90: $283,828
Chicago, IL$174,064
P10: $112,566Median: $174,064P90: $269,159

More Computer Vision Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $183,550/yr compared to $174,064/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Computer Vision Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $133,007/yr in a median-cost city, vs $151,360/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $122,636/yr, vs $116,185/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.