Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$46,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$42,593 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$37,195 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $57,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $43,890▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $72,960▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $91,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,593▲ | $35,185 | +$7,408 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,171 | $50,035▲ | -$9,864 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,195▲ | $30,886 | +$6,309 |
| Total Employment | 75,000 | 105,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($42,593 vs $35,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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.