Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$109,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$119,780 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$106,260 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $150,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $115,500▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $192,000▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $240,000▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $119,780▲ | $92,593 | +$27,187 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,697 | $131,670▲ | -$34,973 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,260▲ | $81,278 | +$24,982 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $41,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($119,780 vs $92,593 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 5%).
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.