Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$132,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$76,301 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$63,945 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $136,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,640 | $104,720▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,960 | $174,080▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,200 | $217,600▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,301 | $83,951▲ | -$7,650 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,625 | $119,381▲ | -$8,756 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,945 | $73,692▲ | -$9,747 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 33,600 | +4,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $4,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($76,301 vs $83,951 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.