Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$45,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$43,689 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$39,360 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $57,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $43,890▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $72,960▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $91,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,689▲ | $35,185 | +$8,504 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,541 | $50,035▲ | -$9,494 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,360▲ | $30,886 | +$8,474 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 105,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($43,689 vs $35,185 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.