Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$110,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$106,796 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$94,239 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $136,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $104,720▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $174,080▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $217,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,796▲ | $83,951 | +$22,845 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,066 | $119,381▲ | -$22,315 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,239▲ | $73,692 | +$20,547 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($106,796 vs $83,951 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.