College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$59,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$66,292 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$58,651 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000 | $85,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430 | $65,450▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520 | $108,800▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400 | $136,000▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,292▲ | $52,469 | +$13,823 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,199 | $74,613▲ | -$22,414 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,651▲ | $46,057 | +$12,594 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 63,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($66,292 vs $52,469 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.