Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$138,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$133,981 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$118,227 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $171,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,260 | $131,670▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $176,640 | $218,880▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $220,800 | $273,600▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $133,981▲ | $105,556 | +$28,425 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,774 | $150,104▲ | -$28,330 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $118,227▲ | $92,657 | +$25,570 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($133,981 vs $105,556 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.