College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$67,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$65,049 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$58,602 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000 | $85,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590 | $65,450▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760 | $108,800▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200 | $136,000▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,049▲ | $52,469 | +$12,580 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,360 | $74,613▲ | -$14,253 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,602▲ | $46,057 | +$12,545 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 63,000 | -25,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $18,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($65,049 vs $52,469 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.