Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$123,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$99,194 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$91,655 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $136,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $104,720▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $174,080▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $217,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,194▲ | $83,951 | +$15,243 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,652 | $119,381▲ | -$5,729 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,655▲ | $73,692 | +$17,963 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 33,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($99,194 vs $83,951 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.