Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX
$133,100
/ year
-1%
difference
Chicago, IL
$134,813
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$133,100
$134,813✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,075
$87,183✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$205,816
$208,464✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,045
$92,079✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$118,839✓ higher
$117,229
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,075
$87,183✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$205,816
$208,464✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$1,713
1% increase
Take-home change
+$1,034
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,610
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

Austin, TX$133,100
P10: $86,075Median: $133,100P90: $205,816
Chicago, IL$134,813
P10: $87,183Median: $134,813P90: $208,464

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Austin or Chicago?

The median Data Scientist salary in Austin, TX is $133,100/yr compared to $134,813/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Austin or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $118,839/yr in a median-cost city, vs $117,229/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Austin vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Austin, TX takes home approximately $91,045/yr, vs $92,079/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.