Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$110,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$101,852 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$88,944 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $136,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $104,720▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $174,080▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $217,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,852▲ | $83,951 | +$17,901 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,060 | $119,381▲ | -$23,321 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,944▲ | $73,692 | +$15,252 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 33,600 | -9,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($101,852 vs $83,951 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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.