Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$115,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$102,679 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$90,463 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $178,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,000 | $126,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,000 | $242,000▲ | -$86,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $207,000 | $320,000▲ | -$113,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $102,679 | $109,877▲ | -$7,198 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,319 | $156,248▲ | -$54,929 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $90,463 | $96,449▲ | -$5,986 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 8,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $63,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($102,679 vs $109,877 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 5%).
4More Lawyer City Comparisons
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.