Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$168,072
/ year
+16%
difference
Chicago, IL
$144,487
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$168,072✓ higher
$144,487
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$108,691✓ higher
$93,439
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$259,894✓ higher
$223,424
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$112,151✓ higher
$97,917
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,791
$125,641✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$108,691✓ higher
$93,439
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$259,894✓ higher
$223,424

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$23,585
16% decrease
Take-home change
$14,234
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,850
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

Los Angeles, CA$168,072
P10: $108,691Median: $168,072P90: $259,894
Chicago, IL$144,487
P10: $93,439Median: $144,487P90: $223,424

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median Data Scientist salary in Los Angeles, CA is $168,072/yr compared to $144,487/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 16% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $121,791/yr in a median-cost city, vs $125,641/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $112,151/yr, vs $97,917/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.