HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Boston, MA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$112,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$69,136 vs $64,706
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$60,688 vs $55,693
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $121,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,240 | $93,170▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,360 | $154,880▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,200 | $193,600▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,136▲ | $64,706 | +$4,430 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,314 | $104,145▲ | -$5,831 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,688▲ | $55,693 | +$4,995 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 54,400 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $9,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($69,136 vs $64,706 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.