Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Raleigh vs Chicago
Move Value
−$14k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
7/10
Raleigh: 7/10 → lateral
10-Year Outlook
−$173k
± $123k confidence band
| Raleigh | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $133k | $134k |
| State + local income tax | 4.3% | 4.9% |
| After-tax income | $96k | $96k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 103 | 121 |
| Median 1BR rent | $1674/mo | $2219/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $93k | $79k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 74 · Strong | 65 · Strong |
| Walkability (0–10) | 4 | 9 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 7 | 7 |
Who should make this move
Choose Chicago if…
- ·Your field's Career Velocity is at least as good in Chicago (7/10).
- ·Coastal-grade density and culture, inland cost basis.
Stay in Raleigh if…
- ·You'd lose $14k of real income annually.
- ·Your 10-year picture is $173k better if you stay.
- ·You're optimizing for what Raleigh uniquely offers: research triangle stability with low cost and rising salaries.
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.