Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$76,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$83,516 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$74,090 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $105,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $80,850▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $134,400▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $168,000▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,516▲ | $64,815 | +$18,701 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,422 | $92,169▲ | -$24,747 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,090▲ | $56,894 | +$17,196 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 63,000 | -39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $29,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($83,516 vs $64,815 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.