Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Seattle vs Chicago
Move Value
−$3k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
7/10
Seattle: 9/10 → regression
10-Year Outlook
−$114k
± $109k confidence band
| Seattle | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $168k | $134k |
| State + local income tax | None | 4.9% |
| After-tax income | $125k | $96k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 152 | 121 |
| Median 1BR rent | $2208/mo | $2219/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $82k | $79k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 86 · High | 65 · Strong |
| Walkability (0–10) | 8 | 9 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 10 | 7 |
Who should make this move
Choose Chicago if…
- ·Coastal-grade density and culture, inland cost basis.
Stay in Seattle if…
- ·Career Velocity is higher in Seattle (9/10 vs 7/10) for your field.
- ·You'd lose $3k of real income annually.
- ·Your 10-year picture is $114k better if you stay.
- ·You're optimizing for what Seattle uniquely offers: coastal-grade tech salaries with zero state income tax.
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.