Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$210,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$112,299 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$96,657 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000▲ | $178,000 | +$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $126,000 | +$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $285,000▲ | $242,000 | +$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $378,000▲ | $320,000 | +$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,299▲ | $109,877 | +$2,422 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $180,748▲ | $156,248 | +$24,500 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,657▲ | $96,449 | +$208 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 8,000 | +20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($112,299 vs $109,877 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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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.