Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Chicago, IL
$149,260
/ year
+3%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$145,173
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$149,260✓ higher
$145,173
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$96,526✓ higher
$93,883
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$230,804✓ higher
$224,484
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$100,798✓ higher
$98,331
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$129,791
$134,419✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$96,526✓ higher
$93,883
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$230,804✓ higher
$224,484

What if you move from Chicago to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$4,087
3% decrease
Take-home change
$2,467
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,628
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
Philadelphia, PA$145,173
P10: $93,883Median: $145,173P90: $224,484

More Frontend Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Frontend Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $149,260/yr compared to $145,173/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Chicago pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Chicago or Philadelphia 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 $134,419/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $100,798/yr, vs $98,331/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.