Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$115,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$70,988 vs $74,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$62,313 vs $68,555
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000▲ | $92,000 | +$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000▲ | $68,000 | +$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,000▲ | $120,000 | +$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $155,000 | +$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988 | $74,194▲ | -$3,206 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,947▲ | $85,008 | +$15,939 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,313 | $68,555▲ | -$6,242 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 9,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $74,194 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.