Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$182,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$105,202 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$88,166 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $182,000▲ | $178,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,000▲ | $126,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $248,000▲ | $242,000 | +$6,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $328,000▲ | $320,000 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,202 | $109,877▲ | -$4,675 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $152,528 | $156,248▲ | -$3,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,166 | $96,449▲ | -$8,283 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 8,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $182,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($105,202 vs $109,877 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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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.