Salary Comparison

Enterprise Architect Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Houston, TX

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

Chicago, IL
$214,996
/ year
+15%
difference
Houston, TX
$186,286
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$214,996✓ higher
$186,286
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$139,037✓ higher
$120,470
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$332,453✓ higher
$288,058
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$144,019✓ higher
$124,496
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$186,953
$190,088✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$139,037✓ higher
$120,470
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$332,453✓ higher
$288,058

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$28,710
15% decrease
Take-home change
$19,523
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,135
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$214,996
P10: $139,037Median: $214,996P90: $332,453
Houston, TX$186,286
P10: $120,470Median: $186,286P90: $288,058

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Enterprise Architect earn more in Chicago or Houston?

The median Enterprise Architect salary in Chicago, IL is $214,996/yr compared to $186,286/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Enterprise Architect salary worth more in Chicago or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $186,953/yr in a median-cost city, vs $190,088/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Enterprise Architect in Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Enterprise Architect in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $144,019/yr, vs $124,496/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.