College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Indianapolis, IN 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
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$65,556 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$58,666 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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 | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,556▲ | $52,469 | +$13,087 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,799 | $74,613▲ | -$21,814 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,666▲ | $46,057 | +$12,609 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 63,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN 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 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($65,556 vs $52,469 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.