Salary Comparison

Product Designer 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
$175,803
/ year
+23%
difference
Chicago, IL
$142,523
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,803✓ higher
$142,523
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$113,691✓ higher
$92,169
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,848✓ higher
$220,387
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,368✓ higher
$96,732
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$127,393✓ higher
$123,933
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,691✓ higher
$92,169
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,848✓ higher
$220,387

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$33,280
23% decrease
Take-home change
$20,636
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,460
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$175,803
P10: $113,691Median: $175,803P90: $271,848
Chicago, IL$142,523
P10: $92,169Median: $142,523P90: $220,387

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Product Designer earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median Product Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $175,803/yr compared to $142,523/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 23% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Product Designer 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 $127,393/yr in a median-cost city, vs $123,933/yr for Chicago. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Product Designer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $117,368/yr, vs $96,732/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.