Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$115,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$70,988 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$62,313 vs $59,889
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000▲ | $105,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000▲ | $78,000 | +$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,000▲ | $138,000 | +$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $177,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988▲ | $64,815 | +$6,173 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,947▲ | $97,020 | +$3,927 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,313▲ | $59,889 | +$2,424 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 10,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $64,815 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.