Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$49,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$54,444 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$48,722 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $70,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $53,900▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $89,600▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $112,000▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,444▲ | $43,210 | +$11,234 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,850 | $61,446▲ | -$17,596 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,722▲ | $37,930 | +$10,792 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 105,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($54,444 vs $43,210 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.