Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$172,147
/ year
-10%
difference
San Diego, CA
$190,772
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,147
$190,772✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,327
$123,371✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,195
$294,995✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$114,882
$127,547✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$149,693✓ higher
$149,041
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.28×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,327
$123,371✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,195
$294,995✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to San Diego?

Gross salary change
+$18,625
10% increase
Take-home change
+$12,665
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$652
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$172,147
P10: $111,327Median: $172,147P90: $266,195
San Diego, CA$190,772
P10: $123,371Median: $190,772P90: $294,995

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Chicago or San Diego?

The median Software Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $172,147/yr compared to $190,772/yr in San Diego, CA. San Diego pays 10% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or San Diego after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $149,693/yr in a median-cost city, vs $149,041/yr for San Diego. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Chicago vs San Diego?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $114,882/yr, vs $127,547/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.