Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL

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

New York, NY
$173,630
/ year
+20%
difference
Chicago, IL
$144,487
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$173,630✓ higher
$144,487
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$112,286✓ higher
$93,439
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$268,488✓ higher
$223,424
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,890✓ higher
$97,917
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,745
$125,641✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$112,286✓ higher
$93,439
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$268,488✓ higher
$223,424

What if you move from New York to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$29,143
20% decrease
Take-home change
$17,973
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,896
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

New York, NY$173,630
P10: $112,286Median: $173,630P90: $268,488
Chicago, IL$144,487
P10: $93,439Median: $144,487P90: $223,424

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in New York or Chicago?

The median Data Scientist salary in New York, NY is $173,630/yr compared to $144,487/yr in Chicago, IL. New York pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $119,745/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 New York vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in New York, NY takes home approximately $115,890/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.