Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$132,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$122,222 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$106,733 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $178,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,000 | $126,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,000 | $242,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $237,000 | $320,000▲ | -$83,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $122,222▲ | $109,877 | +$12,345 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,272 | $156,248▲ | -$40,976 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,733▲ | $96,449 | +$10,284 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 8,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $46,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($122,222 vs $109,877 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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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.