Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$71,053 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$61,386 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $115,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $85,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $152,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $195,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,053▲ | $70,988 | +$65 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,306 | $100,947▲ | -$7,641 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,386 | $62,313▲ | -$927 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 16,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($71,053 vs $70,988 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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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.