Salary Comparison

Product Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$168,358
/ year
+27%
difference
Chicago, IL
$132,980
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$168,358✓ higher
$132,980
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$108,876✓ higher
$85,998
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$260,336✓ higher
$205,630
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$112,324✓ higher
$90,973
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$120,256✓ higher
$115,635
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$108,876✓ higher
$85,998
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$260,336✓ higher
$205,630

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$35,378
27% decrease
Take-home change
$21,351
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,621
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

Boston, MA$168,358
P10: $108,876Median: $168,358P90: $260,336
Chicago, IL$132,980
P10: $85,998Median: $132,980P90: $205,630

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Product Designer earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median Product Designer salary in Boston, MA is $168,358/yr compared to $132,980/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 27% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Product Designer salary worth more in Boston or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $120,256/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,635/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Product Designer in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Product Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $112,324/yr, vs $90,973/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.