Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX

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

Chicago, IL
$154,467
/ year
+25%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$123,275
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Chicago
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$154,467โœ“ higher
$123,275
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$99,893โœ“ higher
$79,721
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$238,856โœ“ higher
$190,623
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,940โœ“ higher
$85,116
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$134,319
$140,085โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,893โœ“ higher
$79,721
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$238,856โœ“ higher
$190,623

What if you move from Chicago to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$31,192
25% decrease
Take-home change
$18,824
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,766
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Chicago, IL$154,467
P10: $99,893Median: $154,467P90: $238,856
San Antonio, TX$123,275
P10: $79,721Median: $123,275P90: $190,623

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a iOS Developer earn more in Chicago or San Antonio?

The median iOS Developer salary in Chicago, IL is $154,467/yr compared to $123,275/yr in San Antonio, TX. Chicago pays 25% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Chicago or San Antonio 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 $140,085/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Chicago vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $103,940/yr, vs $85,116/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.