Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$87,640 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$77,538 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $115,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,000 | $85,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,000 | $152,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $131,000 | $195,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,640▲ | $70,988 | +$16,652 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,009 | $100,947▲ | -$31,938 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,538▲ | $62,313 | +$15,225 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 16,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $37,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($87,640 vs $70,988 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 5%).
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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.