Salary Comparison

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

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

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

What if you move from Chicago to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$9,461
8% decrease
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

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

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $132,783/yr compared to $123,322/yr in Atlanta, GA. Chicago pays 8% more in gross terms.

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

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

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

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