College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$69,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,990 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$59,114 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $85,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $65,450▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $108,800▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $136,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,990▲ | $52,469 | +$14,521 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,887 | $74,613▲ | -$13,726 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,114▲ | $46,057 | +$13,057 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 63,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,990 vs $52,469 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.