Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$116,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$71,605 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$66,163 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000▲ | $105,000 | +$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320▲ | $80,850 | +$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480▲ | $134,400 | +$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600▲ | $168,000 | +$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,605▲ | $64,815 | +$6,790 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,184▲ | $92,169 | +$15,015 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,163▲ | $56,894 | +$9,269 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 63,000 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $11,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($71,605 vs $64,815 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.