Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Indianapolis, IN 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
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$105,556 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$94,461 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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 | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,556▲ | $83,951 | +$21,605 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,015 | $119,381▲ | -$34,366 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,461▲ | $73,692 | +$20,769 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 33,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN 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 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($105,556 vs $83,951 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.