Salary Comparison

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

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

New York, NY
$190,526
/ year
+28%
difference
Chicago, IL
$149,260
/ 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
New York
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$190,526✓ higher
$149,260
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$123,212✓ higher
$96,526
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$294,615✓ higher
$230,804
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$127,379✓ higher
$100,798
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,397✓ higher
$129,791
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$123,212✓ higher
$96,526
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$294,615✓ higher
$230,804

What if you move from New York to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$41,266
28% decrease
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

New York, NY$190,526
P10: $123,212Median: $190,526P90: $294,615
Chicago, IL$149,260
P10: $96,526Median: $149,260P90: $230,804

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Frontend Developer salary in New York, NY is $190,526/yr compared to $149,260/yr in Chicago, IL. New York pays 28% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $131,397/yr in a median-cost city, vs $129,791/yr for Chicago. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in New York, NY takes home approximately $127,379/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.