College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$48,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$56,471 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$52,179 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $85,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $65,450▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $108,800▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $136,000▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,471▲ | $52,469 | +$4,002 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $74,613▲ | -$30,261 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,179▲ | $46,057 | +$6,122 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 63,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $37,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($56,471 vs $52,469 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.