Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer 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
$195,637
/ year
+22%
difference
Houston, TX
$160,805
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,637✓ higher
$160,805
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$126,518✓ higher
$103,992
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$302,518✓ higher
$248,657
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,855✓ higher
$107,765
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$170,119✓ higher
$164,087
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,518✓ higher
$103,992
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$302,518✓ higher
$248,657

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$34,832
22% decrease
Take-home change
$23,090
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$6,032
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$195,637
P10: $126,518Median: $195,637P90: $302,518
Houston, TX$160,805
P10: $103,992Median: $160,805P90: $248,657

More Machine Learning Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Chicago or Houston?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $195,637/yr compared to $160,805/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer 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 $170,119/yr in a median-cost city, vs $164,087/yr for Houston. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $130,855/yr, vs $107,765/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.