Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$155,067
/ year
+8%
difference
Chicago, IL
$144,124
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,067✓ higher
$144,124
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,281✓ higher
$93,204
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$239,784✓ higher
$222,862
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,302✓ higher
$97,698
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,367
$125,325✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,281✓ higher
$93,204
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$239,784✓ higher
$222,862

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$10,943
8% decrease
Take-home change
$6,604
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$12,958
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

Los Angeles, CA$155,067
P10: $100,281Median: $155,067P90: $239,784
Chicago, IL$144,124
P10: $93,204Median: $144,124P90: $222,862

More iOS Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a iOS Developer earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median iOS Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $155,067/yr compared to $144,124/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 8% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $112,367/yr in a median-cost city, vs $125,325/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $104,302/yr, vs $97,698/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.