Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$82,524 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$72,821 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $115,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,000 | $85,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,000 | $152,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $143,000 | $195,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,524▲ | $70,988 | +$11,536 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,006 | $100,947▲ | -$25,941 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,821▲ | $62,313 | +$10,508 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 16,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($82,524 vs $70,988 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.