Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$138,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$106,154 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$89,504 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $178,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $126,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $242,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $248,000 | $320,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,154 | $109,877▲ | -$3,723 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $116,355 | $156,248▲ | -$39,893 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,504 | $96,449▲ | -$6,945 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 8,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($106,154 vs $109,877 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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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.