Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

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

Chicago, IL
$123,892
/ year
-15%
difference
Denver, CO
$145,894
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,892
$145,894✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$80,120
$94,349✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$191,577
$225,599✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$85,488
$98,767✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,732
$127,977✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$80,120
$94,349✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$191,577
$225,599✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$22,002
15% increase
Take-home change
+$13,279
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$20,245
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$123,892
P10: $80,120Median: $123,892P90: $191,577
Denver, CO$145,894
P10: $94,349Median: $145,894P90: $225,599

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $123,892/yr compared to $145,894/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 15% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $107,732/yr in a median-cost city, vs $127,977/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $85,488/yr, vs $98,767/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.