Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$132,783
/ year
-12%
difference
San Diego, CA
$150,397
/ year
Bottom line: San Diego wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$132,783
$150,397✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$85,870
$97,261✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$205,325
$232,562✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$90,854
$101,484✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,463
$117,498✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.28×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$85,870
$97,261✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$205,325
$232,562✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to San Diego?

Gross salary change
+$17,614
12% increase
Take-home change
+$10,630
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,035
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
San Diego, CA$150,397
P10: $97,261Median: $150,397P90: $232,562

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $132,783/yr compared to $150,397/yr in San Diego, CA. San Diego pays 12% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Chicago or San Diego 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 $117,498/yr for San Diego. San Diego offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $90,854/yr, vs $101,484/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.