Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$82,524 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$72,821 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $105,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $80,850▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $134,400▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $168,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,524▲ | $64,815 | +$17,709 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,006 | $92,169▲ | -$17,163 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,821▲ | $56,894 | +$15,927 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 63,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($82,524 vs $64,815 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.