Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$158,941
/ year
+18%
difference
Chicago, IL
$134,813
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$158,941✓ higher
$134,813
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$102,786✓ higher
$87,183
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$245,774✓ higher
$208,464
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,640✓ higher
$92,079
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$113,529
$117,229✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$102,786✓ higher
$87,183
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$245,774✓ higher
$208,464

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$24,128
18% decrease
Take-home change
$14,561
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,700
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

Boston, MA$158,941
P10: $102,786Median: $158,941P90: $245,774
Chicago, IL$134,813
P10: $87,183Median: $134,813P90: $208,464

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Boston, MA is $158,941/yr compared to $134,813/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 18% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $113,529/yr in a median-cost city, vs $117,229/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Boston, MA takes home approximately $106,640/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.