Salary Comparison

Data Engineer 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
$166,371
/ year
+22%
difference
Houston, TX
$136,698
/ 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
$166,371✓ higher
$136,698
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,591✓ higher
$88,402
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,263✓ higher
$211,379
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,124✓ higher
$93,217
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,670✓ higher
$139,488
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,591✓ higher
$88,402
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,263✓ higher
$211,379

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$29,673
22% decrease
Take-home change
$17,907
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,182
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$166,371
P10: $107,591Median: $166,371P90: $257,263
Houston, TX$136,698
P10: $88,402Median: $136,698P90: $211,379

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Chicago or Houston?

The median Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $166,371/yr compared to $136,698/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer 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 $144,670/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,488/yr for Houston. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $111,124/yr, vs $93,217/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.