Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$40,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$44,944 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$39,763 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $40,000 | $57,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,800 | $43,890▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,200 | $72,960▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $91,200▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,944▲ | $35,185 | +$9,759 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,389 | $50,035▲ | -$14,646 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,763▲ | $30,886 | +$8,877 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 105,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $40,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($44,944 vs $35,185 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.