Salary guide · US
Software Engineer salary in Chicago: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Chicago typically earns $74,000–$198,000/year, with a median around $118,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,000/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $118,000/year, spending on median Chicago rent ($2,000/mo) would take up 20% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a comfortable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Chicago
$74,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$118,000
Typical
median estimate
$198,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Chicago.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Chicago
$1,000
Budget
cheapest 10%
$2,000
Median
most common
$3,200
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2023 + Zillow Observed Rent Index · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Chicago?
A Software Engineer in Chicago typically earns between $74,000 and $198,000/year, with a median around $118,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Chicago?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $118,000/year, median Chicago rent ($2,000/month) takes up 20% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Chicago start around $1,000/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Chicago?
On a median Software Engineer salary of $118,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is $2,950/month. Compared to Chicago's median rent of $2,000/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
Other professions in Chicago
Software Engineer salary in other cities