Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$88,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$85,437 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$76,970 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $112,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760 | $86,240▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640 | $143,360▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800 | $179,200▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,437▲ | $69,136 | +$16,301 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,279 | $98,314▲ | -$19,035 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,970▲ | $60,688 | +$16,282 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 33,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($85,437 vs $69,136 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.