Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Washington DC, DC

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

Chicago, IL
$134,813
/ year
-21%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$171,168
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$134,813
$171,168✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$87,183
$110,694✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$208,464
$264,681✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$92,079
$114,216✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$117,229
$120,541✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$87,183
$110,694✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$208,464
$264,681✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$36,355
21% increase
Take-home change
+$22,137
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,312
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$134,813
P10: $87,183Median: $134,813P90: $208,464
Washington DC, DC$171,168
P10: $110,694Median: $171,168P90: $264,681

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Chicago or Washington DC?

The median Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL is $134,813/yr compared to $171,168/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 21% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $117,229/yr in a median-cost city, vs $120,541/yr for Washington DC. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $92,079/yr, vs $114,216/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.