Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$65,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$58,036 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$51,131 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $88,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $67,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $114,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $143,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,036▲ | $54,321 | +$3,715 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,267 | $77,246▲ | -$19,979 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,131▲ | $47,683 | +$3,448 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 20,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($58,036 vs $54,321 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.