Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$88,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$57,895 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$50,018 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000▲ | $88,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000▲ | $67,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $114,000▲ | $114,000 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $143,000▲ | $143,000 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,895▲ | $54,321 | +$3,574 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,027 | $77,246▲ | -$1,219 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,018▲ | $47,683 | +$2,335 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 20,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $0 more (median: $88,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($57,895 vs $54,321 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.