Salary comparison
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: Chicago vs Elmira
Elmira, NY pays about 16.0% more for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents on paper — $116,910 vs $100,760. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Elmira comes out ahead by $16,150 a year in real buying power.
Chicago, IL
$100,760
$67,380
$160,890
$48.44
100
$100,760/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Elmira, NY
$116,910
$75,520
$168,740
$56.21
100
$116,910/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $16,150 a year (16.0%) in favor of Elmira. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Chicago runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Elmira sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Elmira is the better deal by $16,150 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Chicago to Elmira for this role, the raise needs to beat 16.0% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents earn more, Chicago or Elmira?
Elmira pays $116,910 on median — about 16.0% more than Chicago ($100,760). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Elmira. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Elmira gives you roughly$116,910 of real buying power versus $100,760 in the other city.