Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL

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

New York, NY
$198,846
/ year
+20%
difference
Chicago, IL
$166,371
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$198,846✓ higher
$166,371
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$128,593✓ higher
$107,591
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$307,480✓ higher
$257,263
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$133,037✓ higher
$111,124
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,135
$144,670✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$128,593✓ higher
$107,591
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$307,480✓ higher
$257,263

What if you move from New York to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$32,475
20% decrease
Take-home change
$21,913
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,535
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

New York, NY$198,846
P10: $128,593Median: $198,846P90: $307,480
Chicago, IL$166,371
P10: $107,591Median: $166,371P90: $257,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in New York or Chicago?

The median Data Engineer salary in New York, NY is $198,846/yr compared to $166,371/yr in Chicago, IL. New York pays 20% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in New York or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $137,135/yr in a median-cost city, vs $144,670/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $133,037/yr, vs $111,124/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.