Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs New York, NY

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

Chicago, IL
$149,260
/ year
-22%
difference
New York, NY
$190,526
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$149,260
$190,526✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$96,526
$123,212✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$230,804
$294,615✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$100,798
$127,379✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$129,791
$131,397✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$96,526
$123,212✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$230,804
$294,615✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to New York?

Gross salary change
+$41,266
22% increase
Take-home change
+$26,581
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,606
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
New York, NY$190,526
P10: $123,212Median: $190,526P90: $294,615

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Frontend Developer earn more in Chicago or New York?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $149,260/yr compared to $190,526/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Chicago or New York 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 $131,397/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $100,798/yr, vs $127,379/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.