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