Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$145,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$135,514 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$125,215 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $178,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 | $126,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,000 | $242,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,000 | $320,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $135,514▲ | $109,877 | +$25,637 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980 | $156,248▲ | -$22,268 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $125,215▲ | $96,449 | +$28,766 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 8,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($135,514 vs $109,877 equivalent). Houston, 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.