Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$77,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$90,588 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$83,704 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $136,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $104,720▲ | -$45,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $174,080▲ | -$75,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $217,600▲ | -$94,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,588▲ | $83,951 | +$6,637 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,148 | $119,381▲ | -$48,233 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,704▲ | $73,692 | +$10,012 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 33,600 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $59,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($90,588 vs $83,951 equivalent). El Paso, 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.