College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$77,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$59,231 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$49,941 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $85,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $65,450▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $108,800▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $136,000▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,231▲ | $52,469 | +$6,762 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,923 | $74,613▲ | -$9,690 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,941▲ | $46,057 | +$3,884 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 63,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($59,231 vs $52,469 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.