Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Chicago, IL
$132,783
/ year
+2%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$129,866
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$132,783✓ higher
$129,866
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$85,870✓ higher
$83,984
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$205,325✓ higher
$200,815
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$90,854✓ higher
$89,094
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,463
$120,246✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$85,870✓ higher
$83,984
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$205,325✓ higher
$200,815

What if you move from Chicago to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$2,917
2% decrease
Take-home change
$1,760
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,783
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
Philadelphia, PA$129,866
P10: $83,984Median: $129,866P90: $200,815

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $132,783/yr compared to $129,866/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Chicago pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Chicago or Philadelphia 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 $120,246/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $90,854/yr, vs $89,094/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.