Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Atlanta, GA

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

Chicago, IL
$144,487
/ year
+14%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$127,234
/ 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
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$144,487✓ higher
$127,234
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,439✓ higher
$82,282
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$223,424✓ higher
$196,745
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$97,917✓ higher
$87,505
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$125,641✓ higher
$121,175
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,439✓ higher
$82,282
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$223,424✓ higher
$196,745

What if you move from Chicago to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$17,253
14% decrease
Take-home change
$10,412
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,466
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$144,487
P10: $93,439Median: $144,487P90: $223,424
Atlanta, GA$127,234
P10: $82,282Median: $127,234P90: $196,745

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL is $144,487/yr compared to $127,234/yr in Atlanta, GA. Chicago pays 14% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $125,641/yr in a median-cost city, vs $121,175/yr for Atlanta. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $97,917/yr, vs $87,505/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.