Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$57,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$35,185 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$30,886 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $57,000▲ | $52,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,890▲ | $40,040 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,960▲ | $66,560 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,200▲ | $83,200 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,185 | $41,935▲ | -$6,750 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,035▲ | $48,048 | +$1,987 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,886 | $38,748▲ | -$7,862 |
| 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 $5,000 more (median: $57,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($35,185 vs $41,935 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.