Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$87,379 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$77,105 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $112,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $86,240▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $143,360▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $179,200▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,379▲ | $69,136 | +$18,243 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,418 | $98,314▲ | -$18,896 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,105▲ | $60,688 | +$16,417 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($87,379 vs $69,136 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.