Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$160,000 vs $147,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$85,561 vs $90,741
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$73,643 vs $79,652
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $160,000▲ | $147,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,200▲ | $113,190 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $204,800▲ | $188,160 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $256,000▲ | $235,200 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,561 | $90,741▲ | -$5,180 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $137,713▲ | $129,037 | +$8,676 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,643 | $79,652▲ | -$6,009 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 33,600 | +20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $160,000 vs $147,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($85,561 vs $90,741 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.