HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$49,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$55,056 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$48,710 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $70,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $53,900▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $89,600▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $112,000▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $55,056▲ | $43,210 | +$11,846 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,352 | $61,446▲ | -$18,094 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,710▲ | $37,930 | +$10,780 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 105,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($55,056 vs $43,210 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 5%).
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.