Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$106,000 vs $147,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$116,484 vs $90,741
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$103,336 vs $79,652
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $106,000 | $147,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,620 | $113,190▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,680 | $188,160▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,600 | $235,200▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,484▲ | $90,741 | +$25,743 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,036 | $129,037▲ | -$35,001 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $103,336▲ | $79,652 | +$23,684 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $41,000 more (median: $106,000 vs $147,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($116,484 vs $90,741 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.