Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Toronto vs Chicago, IL

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

Toronto
$135,492
/ year
-6%
difference
Chicago, IL
$144,124
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$135,492
$144,124โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$87,622
$93,204โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$209,514
$222,862โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$92,135
$97,698โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$108,394
$125,325โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.15ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$119,166โœ“ higher
$93,204
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$284,939โœ“ higher
$222,862

What if you move from Toronto to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$8,632
6% increase
Take-home change
+$5,563
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$16,931
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

Toronto$135,492
P10: $119,166Median: $135,492P90: $284,939
Chicago, IL$144,124
P10: $93,204Median: $144,124P90: $222,862

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median iOS Developer salary in Toronto is CA$184,269/yr compared to $144,124/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Toronto or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $108,394/yr in a median-cost city, vs $125,325/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Toronto takes home approximately $92,135/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.