Salary comparison
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: Chicago vs San Jose
Chicago, IL pays about 0.7% more for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents on paper — $100,760 vs $100,030. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Chicago comes out ahead by $730 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.
San Jose, CA
$100,030
$69,240
$158,970
$48.09
100
$100,030/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $730 a year (0.7%) in favor of Chicago. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Chicago runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; San Jose sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Chicago is the better deal by $730 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from San Jose to Chicago for this role, the raise needs to beat 0.7% 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 San Jose?
Chicago pays $100,760 on median — about 0.7% more than San Jose ($100,030). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Chicago. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Chicago gives you roughly$100,760 of real buying power versus $100,030 in the other city.