Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Chicago vs San Francisco
Move Value
−$15k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
10/10
Chicago: 7/10 → leap
10-Year Outlook
−$131k
± $113k confidence band
| Chicago | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $134k | $187k |
| State + local income tax | 4.9% | 7.2% |
| After-tax income | $96k | $126k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 121 | 195 |
| Median 1BR rent | $2219/mo | $3206/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $79k | $64k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 7/10 | 10/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 65 · Strong | 81 · High |
| Walkability (0–10) | 9 | 9 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 7 | 9 |
Who should make this move
Choose San Francisco if…
- ·Your field's Career Velocity is at least as good in SF (10/10).
- ·Highest tech salaries in the country — if you can stomach the cost.
Stay in Chicago if…
- ·You'd lose $15k of real income annually.
- ·Your 10-year picture is $131k better if you stay.
- ·You're optimizing for what Chicago uniquely offers: coastal-grade density and culture, inland cost basis.
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.