Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Charlotte, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Charlotte, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$101,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$99,020 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$87,376 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $136,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $104,720▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $174,080▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $217,600▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 162 | -60 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,020▲ | $83,951 | +$15,069 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,124 | $119,381▲ | -$30,257 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,376▲ | $73,692 | +$13,684 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $35,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 162), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($99,020 vs $83,951 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 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.