Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$62,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$33,155 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$28,537 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000▲ | $57,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,740▲ | $43,890 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,360▲ | $72,960 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $99,200▲ | $91,200 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $33,155 | $35,185▲ | -$2,030 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,364▲ | $50,035 | +$3,329 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,537 | $30,886▲ | -$2,349 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 105,000 | +65,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $5,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($33,155 vs $35,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.