Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$181,487
/ year
+22%
difference
Chicago, IL
$149,260
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$181,487✓ higher
$149,260
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$117,367✓ higher
$96,526
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$280,638✓ higher
$230,804
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$121,233✓ higher
$100,798
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,512✓ higher
$129,791
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$117,367✓ higher
$96,526
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$280,638✓ higher
$230,804

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$32,227
22% decrease
Take-home change
$20,435
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,721
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

Los Angeles, CA$181,487
P10: $117,367Median: $181,487P90: $280,638
Chicago, IL$149,260
P10: $96,526Median: $149,260P90: $230,804

More Frontend Developer salary comparisons

Los Angeles vs New YorkLos Angeles vs HoustonLos Angeles vs PhoenixLos Angeles vs PhiladelphiaLos Angeles vs San AntonioLos Angeles vs San DiegoAll Frontend Developer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Frontend Developer earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $181,487/yr compared to $149,260/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $131,512/yr in a median-cost city, vs $129,791/yr for Chicago. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $121,233/yr, vs $100,798/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.