Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$62,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$68,889 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$61,648 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $88,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $67,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,000 | $114,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,000 | $143,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,889▲ | $54,321 | +$14,568 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,483 | $77,246▲ | -$21,763 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,648▲ | $47,683 | +$13,965 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 20,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($68,889 vs $54,321 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.