Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$68,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,019 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$58,257 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $88,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $67,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $114,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $143,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,019▲ | $54,321 | +$11,698 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,005 | $77,246▲ | -$17,241 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,257▲ | $47,683 | +$10,574 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 20,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,019 vs $54,321 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.