Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Melbourne

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

Chicago, IL
$144,487
/ year
+44%
difference
Melbourne
$100,346
/ 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
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$144,487✓ higher
$100,346
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,439✓ higher
$66,579
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$223,424✓ higher
$151,239
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$97,917✓ higher
$68,235
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$125,641✓ higher
$80,277
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.25×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,439
$101,200✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$223,424
$229,883✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$44,141
44% decrease
Take-home change
$29,682
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$45,364
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
Melbourne$100,346
P10: $101,200Median: $100,346P90: $229,883

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL is $144,487/yr compared to A$152,526/yr in Melbourne. Chicago pays 44% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Chicago or Melbourne 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 $80,277/yr for Melbourne. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $97,917/yr, vs $68,235/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.