Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Chicago, IL

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

Atlanta, GA
$169,692
/ year
-5%
difference
Chicago, IL
$178,398
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$169,692
$178,398✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$109,739
$115,369✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$262,399
$275,861✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$113,212
$119,132✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$161,611✓ higher
$155,129
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$109,739
$115,369✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$262,399
$275,861✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$8,706
5% increase
Take-home change
+$5,920
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$6,482
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

Atlanta, GA$169,692
P10: $109,739Median: $169,692P90: $262,399
Chicago, IL$178,398
P10: $115,369Median: $178,398P90: $275,861

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Atlanta vs New YorkAtlanta vs Los AngelesAtlanta vs HoustonAtlanta vs PhoenixAtlanta vs PhiladelphiaAtlanta vs San AntonioAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Atlanta or Chicago?

The median Security Engineer salary in Atlanta, GA is $169,692/yr compared to $178,398/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Atlanta or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $161,611/yr in a median-cost city, vs $155,129/yr for Chicago. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Atlanta vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $113,212/yr, vs $119,132/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.