Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$115,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$129,213 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$114,319 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $178,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,000 | $126,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,000 | $242,000▲ | -$86,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $207,000 | $320,000▲ | -$113,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $129,213▲ | $109,877 | +$19,336 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,744 | $156,248▲ | -$54,504 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $114,319▲ | $96,449 | +$17,870 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $63,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($129,213 vs $109,877 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 5%).
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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.