Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX
$136,026
/ year
+2%
difference
Chicago, IL
$132,783
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$136,026✓ higher
$132,783
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$87,967✓ higher
$85,870
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$210,340✓ higher
$205,325
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$92,811✓ higher
$90,854
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,452✓ higher
$115,463
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$87,967✓ higher
$85,870
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$210,340✓ higher
$205,325

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$3,243
2% decrease
Take-home change
$1,957
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,989
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

Austin, TX$136,026
P10: $87,967Median: $136,026P90: $210,340
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 Austin or Chicago?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Austin, TX is $136,026/yr compared to $132,783/yr in Chicago, IL. Austin pays 2% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $121,452/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,463/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Austin, TX takes home approximately $92,811/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.