Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$75,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$60,484 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$55,887 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $88,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $67,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $114,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $143,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,484▲ | $54,321 | +$6,163 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $77,246▲ | -$7,946 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,887▲ | $47,683 | +$8,204 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 20,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($60,484 vs $54,321 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.