Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$66,667 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$58,520 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000▲ | $98,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,160▲ | $75,460 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,240▲ | $125,440 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,800▲ | $156,800 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667 | $79,032▲ | -$12,365 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802▲ | $90,552 | +$4,250 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520 | $73,026▲ | -$14,506 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 30,400 | +3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $79,032 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.