Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$105,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$64,815 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$56,894 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $95,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $73,150 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $121,600 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $152,000 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,815 | $76,613▲ | -$11,798 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,169▲ | $87,780 | +$4,389 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,894 | $70,790▲ | -$13,896 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 57,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($64,815 vs $76,613 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.