Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$106,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$94,643 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$83,384 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $106,000 | $136,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,620 | $104,720▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,680 | $174,080▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,600 | $217,600▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,643▲ | $83,951 | +$10,692 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,390 | $119,381▲ | -$25,991 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,384▲ | $73,692 | +$9,692 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $106,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($94,643 vs $83,951 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.