Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$44,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$39,286 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$34,612 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $57,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $43,890▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $72,960▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $91,200▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,286▲ | $35,185 | +$4,101 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,765 | $50,035▲ | -$11,270 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,612▲ | $30,886 | +$3,726 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($39,286 vs $35,185 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.