Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Chicago, IL

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

Atlanta, GA
$144,826
/ year
-6%
difference
Chicago, IL
$154,467
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$144,826
$154,467✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,658
$99,893✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$223,948
$238,856✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,122
$103,940✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,930✓ higher
$134,319
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,658
$99,893✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$223,948
$238,856✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$9,641
6% increase
Take-home change
+$5,818
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,611
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

Atlanta, GA$144,826
P10: $93,658Median: $144,826P90: $223,948
Chicago, IL$154,467
P10: $99,893Median: $154,467P90: $238,856

More iOS Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a iOS Developer earn more in Atlanta or Chicago?

The median iOS Developer salary in Atlanta, GA is $144,826/yr compared to $154,467/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a iOS Developer salary worth more in Atlanta or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $137,930/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,319/yr for Chicago. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Atlanta vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $98,122/yr, vs $103,940/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.