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Software Developer Salary Comparison

Side-by-side evaluation of salaries, local taxes, monthly expenses, and real purchasing power

✓ Real-time Comparison
🔍 Change Comparison Cities
City 1:
VS
City 2:

💡 Smart Analysis

Comparing Nashville and Chicago: Average gross pay is 10% higher in Chicago. Cost of living is 10% cheaper in Nashville. With higher take-home and lower expenses, Nashville is a more financially comfortable place to live with an affordability score of 6.8/10 compared to 6.5/10.

Category Comparison
🇺🇸
Nashville
🇺🇸
Chicago

💰 Gross Salaries & Ranges

Average Gross Salary (Annual)
The primary average salary across experience ranges
$105,000/yr
$115,000/yr
HIGHER
Junior Developer Pay
$62,000
$68,000
Mid-Level Developer Pay
$92,000
$100,000
Senior Developer Pay
$136,000
$148,000
Lead / Architect Pay
$170,000
$185,000

🏠 Monthly Cost of Living

Rent — City Center (1 Bed)
$1,700
$1,900
Rent — Suburbs (1 Bed)
$1,080
$1,200
Groceries (Monthly)
$468
$500
Public Transport Pass
$72
$105
Utilities (Electricity, Internet)
$228
$240
Estimated Cost of Living
Rent center, groceries, transport plans & hobbies included
$3,622/mo
CHEAPER
$4,023/mo

🧾 Tax rates & Take-home

Average Income Tax Rate
0%
25%
Social Security Deduction
8%
8%
Monthly Take-home (After Tax)
Estimated direct net monthly deposit based on mid-level pay
$6,593/mo
$5,583/mo

📊 Affordability & Savings

Affordability Index
Score out of 10 comparing local net pay to costs
6.8
MORE AFFORDABLE
6.5
Monthly Savings Potential
Money left over after all standard cost of living expenses
$2,971/mo
$1,560/mo
Months to Save $10,000
~4 months
~7 months
🇺🇸 Complete Nashville Breakdown & Charts → 🇺🇸 Complete Chicago Breakdown & Charts →