Salary Comparison

iOS Developer 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
$154,467
/ year
+13%
difference
Houston, TX
$136,981
/ 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
$154,467✓ higher
$136,981
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$99,893✓ higher
$88,585
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$238,856✓ higher
$211,817
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,940✓ higher
$93,388
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$134,319
$139,777✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,893✓ higher
$88,585
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$238,856✓ higher
$211,817

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$17,486
13% decrease
Take-home change
$10,552
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,458
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
Houston, TX$136,981
P10: $88,585Median: $136,981P90: $211,817

More iOS Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median iOS Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $154,467/yr compared to $136,981/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 13% more in gross terms.

▶Is a iOS Developer 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 $134,319/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,777/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $103,940/yr, vs $93,388/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.