Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$70,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$43,210 vs $50,806
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$37,930 vs $46,945
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000▲ | $63,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900▲ | $48,510 | +$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600▲ | $80,640 | +$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $100,800 | +$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,210 | $50,806▲ | -$7,596 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,446▲ | $58,212 | +$3,234 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,930 | $46,945▲ | -$9,015 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 95,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,210 vs $50,806 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.