Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$178,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$109,877 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$96,449 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $178,000▲ | $168,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $126,000▲ | $118,000 | +$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $242,000▲ | $228,000 | +$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $320,000▲ | $302,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,877▲ | $103,704 | +$6,173 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $156,248▲ | $155,232 | +$1,016 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,449▲ | $95,822 | +$627 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 5,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $178,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($109,877 vs $103,704 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.