Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$52,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$40,000 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$33,726 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $57,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $43,890▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $72,960▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $91,200▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000▲ | $35,185 | +$4,815 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,844 | $50,035▲ | -$6,191 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,726▲ | $30,886 | +$2,840 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 105,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($40,000 vs $35,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.