Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Chicago, IL

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

Atlanta, GA
$123,322
/ year
-7%
difference
Chicago, IL
$132,783
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,322
$132,783✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,752
$85,870✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,696
$205,325✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$85,144
$90,854✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$117,450✓ higher
$115,463
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,752
$85,870✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,696
$205,325✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$9,461
7% increase
Take-home change
+$5,710
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,987
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

Atlanta, GA$123,322
P10: $79,752Median: $123,322P90: $190,696
Chicago, IL$132,783
P10: $85,870Median: $132,783P90: $205,325

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Information Security Analyst earn more in Atlanta or Chicago?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Atlanta, GA is $123,322/yr compared to $132,783/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 7% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Atlanta or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $117,450/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,463/yr for Chicago. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Atlanta vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $85,144/yr, vs $90,854/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.