Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$123,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$135,165 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$119,909 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $171,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $131,670▲ | -$36,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $218,880▲ | -$61,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $273,600▲ | -$76,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $135,165▲ | $105,556 | +$29,609 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,117 | $150,104▲ | -$40,987 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $119,909▲ | $92,657 | +$27,252 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $48,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($135,165 vs $105,556 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.