Salary Comparison

Program Manager 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
$168,708
/ year
+20%
difference
Houston, TX
$140,957
/ 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
$168,708✓ higher
$140,957
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$109,103✓ higher
$91,156
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$260,877✓ higher
$217,965
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$112,543✓ higher
$95,787
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$146,703✓ higher
$143,834
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$109,103✓ higher
$91,156
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$260,877✓ higher
$217,965

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$27,751
20% decrease
Take-home change
$16,756
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,869
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$168,708
P10: $109,103Median: $168,708P90: $260,877
Houston, TX$140,957
P10: $91,156Median: $140,957P90: $217,965

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in Chicago or Houston?

The median Program Manager salary in Chicago, IL is $168,708/yr compared to $140,957/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 20% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Program Manager 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 $146,703/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,834/yr for Houston. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $112,543/yr, vs $95,787/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.