Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Boston vs Chicago
Move Value
+$6k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
7/10
Boston: 9/10 → regression
10-Year Outlook
+$37k
± $89k confidence band
| Boston | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $158k | $134k |
| State + local income tax | None | 4.9% |
| After-tax income | $118k | $96k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 162 | 121 |
| Median 1BR rent | $3184/mo | $2219/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $73k | $79k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 18 · Thin | 65 · Strong |
| Walkability (0–10) | 9 | 9 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 7 | 7 |
Who should make this move
Choose Chicago if…
- ·You want $6k more real income per year on day one.
- ·Your 10-year picture lands $37k ahead.
- ·Coastal-grade density and culture, inland cost basis.
Stay in Boston if…
- ·Career Velocity is higher in Boston (9/10 vs 7/10) for your field.
- ·You're optimizing for what Boston uniquely offers: biotech, education, and finance — small footprint, dense talent.
A note on the numbers: Salaries are role-P50 from BLS-style bands. Tax is statutory state + local at ~$110k single. The 10-year outlook uses a 3-year promotion cadence with a small velocity adjustment, 2.5% COL inflation, and discounts to today's dollars. Full assumptions on the methodology page.