Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$188,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$123,684 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$106,856 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $188,000▲ | $178,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,000▲ | $126,000 | +$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $256,000▲ | $242,000 | +$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000▲ | $320,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $123,684▲ | $109,877 | +$13,807 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $162,421▲ | $156,248 | +$6,173 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,856▲ | $96,449 | +$10,407 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 8,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $10,000 more (median: $188,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($123,684 vs $109,877 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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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.