Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$107,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$103,883 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$93,588 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $107,000 | $136,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,390 | $104,720▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,960 | $174,080▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,200 | $217,600▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,883▲ | $83,951 | +$19,932 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,396 | $119,381▲ | -$22,985 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,588▲ | $73,692 | +$19,896 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 33,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $29,000 more (median: $107,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($103,883 vs $83,951 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.