Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$122,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$118,447 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$106,709 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $178,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,000 | $126,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,000 | $242,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $220,000 | $320,000▲ | -$100,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,447▲ | $109,877 | +$8,570 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,910 | $156,248▲ | -$46,338 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,709▲ | $96,449 | +$10,260 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 8,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $56,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($118,447 vs $109,877 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.