College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$83,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$47,977 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$40,208 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $85,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $65,450▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $108,800▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $136,000▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,977 | $52,469▲ | -$4,492 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,560 | $74,613▲ | -$5,053 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,208 | $46,057▲ | -$5,849 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 63,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($47,977 vs $52,469 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.