Salary Comparison

Full Stack 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
$152,983
/ year
+8%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$141,499
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$152,983✓ higher
$141,499
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,933✓ higher
$91,507
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$236,561✓ higher
$218,803
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,045✓ higher
$96,114
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$133,029✓ higher
$131,018
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$98,933✓ higher
$91,507
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$236,561✓ higher
$218,803

What if you move from Chicago to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$11,484
8% decrease
Take-home change
$6,931
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,011
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$152,983
P10: $98,933Median: $152,983P90: $236,561
Philadelphia, PA$141,499
P10: $91,507Median: $141,499P90: $218,803

More Full Stack Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Full Stack Developer earn more in Chicago or Philadelphia?

The median Full Stack Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $152,983/yr compared to $141,499/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Chicago pays 8% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Full Stack 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 $133,029/yr in a median-cost city, vs $131,018/yr for Philadelphia. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Full Stack Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $103,045/yr, vs $96,114/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.