Salary Comparison

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

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

Washington DC, DC
$174,361
/ year
+21%
difference
Chicago, IL
$144,487
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Washington DC paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Washington DC
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$174,361✓ higher
$144,487
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$112,758✓ higher
$93,439
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$269,618✓ higher
$223,424
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$116,387✓ higher
$97,917
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$122,789
$125,641✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$112,758✓ higher
$93,439
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$269,618✓ higher
$223,424

What if you move from Washington DC to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$29,874
21% decrease
Take-home change
$18,470
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,852
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

Washington DC, DC$174,361
P10: $112,758Median: $174,361P90: $269,618
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 Washington DC or Chicago?

The median Data Scientist salary in Washington DC, DC is $174,361/yr compared to $144,487/yr in Chicago, IL. Washington DC pays 21% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Washington DC salary has the purchasing power of $122,789/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 Washington DC vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $116,387/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.