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