Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Chicago, IL

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

Seattle, WA
$202,929
/ year
+26%
difference
Chicago, IL
$160,620
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$202,929✓ higher
$160,620
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$131,233✓ higher
$103,872
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$313,794✓ higher
$248,370
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$135,813✓ higher
$107,654
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,908✓ higher
$139,670
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$131,233✓ higher
$103,872
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$313,794✓ higher
$248,370

What if you move from Seattle to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$42,309
26% decrease
Take-home change
$28,159
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,238
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

Seattle, WA$202,929
P10: $131,233Median: $202,929P90: $313,794
Chicago, IL$160,620
P10: $103,872Median: $160,620P90: $248,370

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Seattle or Chicago?

The median Software Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $202,929/yr compared to $160,620/yr in Chicago, IL. Seattle pays 26% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $142,908/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,670/yr for Chicago. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $135,813/yr, vs $107,654/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.