Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Dallas, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Dallas, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$116,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$103,571 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$95,700 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $136,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $104,720▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $174,080▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $217,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,571▲ | $83,951 | +$19,620 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,184 | $119,381▲ | -$12,197 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,700▲ | $73,692 | +$22,008 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,571 vs $83,951 equivalent). Dallas, 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.