Salary Comparison

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

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

Chicago, IL
$132,783
/ year
+15%
difference
Houston, TX
$115,541
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$132,783✓ higher
$115,541
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$85,870✓ higher
$74,720
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$205,325✓ higher
$178,664
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$90,854✓ higher
$80,448
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,463
$117,899✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$85,870✓ higher
$74,720
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$205,325✓ higher
$178,664

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$17,242
15% decrease
Take-home change
$10,406
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,436
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
Houston, TX$115,541
P10: $74,720Median: $115,541P90: $178,664

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $132,783/yr compared to $115,541/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Chicago or Houston 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 $117,899/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $90,854/yr, vs $80,448/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.