College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$69,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$63,889 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$55,793 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $85,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $65,450▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $108,800▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $136,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,889▲ | $52,469 | +$11,420 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,256 | $74,613▲ | -$14,357 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,793▲ | $46,057 | +$9,736 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 63,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($63,889 vs $52,469 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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.