Salary Comparison

iOS Developer 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
$154,467
/ year
-1%
difference
Denver, CO
$155,529
/ 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
$154,467
$155,529✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$99,893
$100,580✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$238,856
$240,498✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,940
$104,581✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$134,319
$136,429✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,893
$100,580✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$238,856
$240,498✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$1,062
1% increase
Take-home change
+$641
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,110
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$154,467
P10: $99,893Median: $154,467P90: $238,856
Denver, CO$155,529
P10: $100,580Median: $155,529P90: $240,498

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median iOS Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $154,467/yr compared to $155,529/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a iOS Developer 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 $134,319/yr in a median-cost city, vs $136,429/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $103,940/yr, vs $104,581/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.