Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$150,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$92,593 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$81,278 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000▲ | $136,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500▲ | $104,720 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $174,080 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $217,600 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593 | $109,677▲ | -$17,084 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $131,670▲ | $125,664 | +$6,006 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,278 | $101,342▲ | -$20,064 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 30,400 | +3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $109,677 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.