Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$154,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$118,462 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$99,881 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $154,000 | $171,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,580 | $131,670▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,120 | $218,880▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $246,400 | $273,600▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,462▲ | $105,556 | +$12,906 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,845 | $150,104▲ | -$20,259 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,881▲ | $92,657 | +$7,224 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $154,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($118,462 vs $105,556 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.