Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$144,487
/ year
-6%
difference
San Diego, CA
$153,402
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$144,487
$153,402✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,439
$99,204✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$223,424
$237,209✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$97,917
$103,298✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$125,641✓ higher
$119,845
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.28×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,439
$99,204✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$223,424
$237,209✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to San Diego?

Gross salary change
+$8,915
6% increase
Take-home change
+$5,381
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,796
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
San Diego, CA$153,402
P10: $99,204Median: $153,402P90: $237,209

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Chicago or San Diego?

The median Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL is $144,487/yr compared to $153,402/yr in San Diego, CA. San Diego pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Chicago or San Diego 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 $119,845/yr for San Diego. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $97,917/yr, vs $103,298/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.