Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$99,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$108,791 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$96,512 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $136,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $104,720▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $174,080▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $217,600▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $108,791▲ | $83,951 | +$24,840 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,826 | $119,381▲ | -$31,555 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,512▲ | $73,692 | +$22,820 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $37,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($108,791 vs $83,951 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.