College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$62,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$68,132 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$60,442 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $85,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,740 | $65,450▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,360 | $108,800▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $99,200 | $136,000▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,132▲ | $52,469 | +$15,663 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,002 | $74,613▲ | -$19,611 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,442▲ | $46,057 | +$14,385 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 63,000 | -39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($68,132 vs $52,469 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.