Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer 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
$149,260
/ year
+11%
difference
Houston, TX
$134,862
/ 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
$149,260✓ higher
$134,862
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$96,526✓ higher
$87,215
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$230,804✓ higher
$208,540
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$100,798✓ higher
$92,109
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$129,791
$137,614✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$96,526✓ higher
$87,215
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$230,804✓ higher
$208,540

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$14,398
11% decrease
Take-home change
$8,689
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,823
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$149,260
P10: $96,526Median: $149,260P90: $230,804
Houston, TX$134,862
P10: $87,215Median: $134,862P90: $208,540

More Frontend Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Frontend Developer earn more in Chicago or Houston?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $149,260/yr compared to $134,862/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 11% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer 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 $129,791/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,614/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $100,798/yr, vs $92,109/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.