Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$88,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$54,321 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,683 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000▲ | $85,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000▲ | $65,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $114,000▲ | $110,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $143,000▲ | $138,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,321▲ | $52,469 | +$1,852 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,246 | $78,540▲ | -$1,294 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,683 | $48,481▲ | -$798 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 16,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($54,321 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.