Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$46,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$44,660 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$39,409 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $57,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $43,890▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $72,960▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $91,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,660▲ | $35,185 | +$9,475 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,591 | $50,035▲ | -$9,444 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,409▲ | $30,886 | +$8,523 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 105,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($44,660 vs $35,185 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.