Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$81,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$89,011 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$78,965 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $112,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $86,240▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $143,360▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $179,200▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,011▲ | $69,136 | +$19,875 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,858 | $98,314▲ | -$26,456 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,965▲ | $60,688 | +$18,277 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $31,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($89,011 vs $69,136 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.