Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$95,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$106,742 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$94,437 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $136,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $104,720▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $174,080▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $217,600▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,742▲ | $83,951 | +$22,791 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,049 | $119,381▲ | -$35,332 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,437▲ | $73,692 | +$20,745 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 33,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $41,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($106,742 vs $83,951 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.