Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$148,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$79,144 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$68,120 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000▲ | $136,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,960▲ | $104,720 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,440▲ | $174,080 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $236,800▲ | $217,600 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,144 | $83,951▲ | -$4,807 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $127,384▲ | $119,381 | +$8,003 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,120 | $73,692▲ | -$5,572 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 33,600 | +20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $12,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($79,144 vs $83,951 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.