Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$105,882 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$97,835 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $178,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,000 | $126,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,000 | $242,000▲ | -$120,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,000 | $320,000▲ | -$158,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,882 | $109,877▲ | -$3,995 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,160 | $156,248▲ | -$73,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,835▲ | $96,449 | +$1,386 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 8,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $88,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($105,882 vs $109,877 equivalent). El Paso, TX 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.