Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$128,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$68,449 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$58,914 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000▲ | $115,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000▲ | $85,000 | +$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,000▲ | $152,000 | +$18,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $218,000▲ | $195,000 | +$23,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,449 | $70,988▲ | -$2,539 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,170▲ | $100,947 | +$9,223 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,914 | $62,313▲ | -$3,399 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 16,000 | +26,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($68,449 vs $70,988 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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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.