Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$64,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$70,330 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$62,391 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $88,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $67,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $114,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $143,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,330▲ | $54,321 | +$16,009 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,776 | $77,246▲ | -$20,470 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,391▲ | $47,683 | +$14,708 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 20,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($70,330 vs $54,321 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 5%).
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.