Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL

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

New York, NY
$224,905
/ year
+26%
difference
Chicago, IL
$178,398
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$224,905✓ higher
$178,398
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$145,445✓ higher
$115,369
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$347,776✓ higher
$275,861
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$150,757✓ higher
$119,132
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$155,107
$155,129✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$145,445✓ higher
$115,369
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$347,776✓ higher
$275,861

What if you move from New York to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$46,507
26% decrease
Take-home change
$31,625
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$22
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

New York, NY$224,905
P10: $145,445Median: $224,905P90: $347,776
Chicago, IL$178,398
P10: $115,369Median: $178,398P90: $275,861

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in New York or Chicago?

The median Security Engineer salary in New York, NY is $224,905/yr compared to $178,398/yr in Chicago, IL. New York pays 26% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $155,107/yr in a median-cost city, vs $155,129/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $150,757/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.