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