Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$100,000 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$92,400 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $150,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $115,500▲ | -$50,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $192,000▲ | -$83,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $240,000▲ | -$104,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $92,593 | +$7,407 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $131,670▲ | -$53,130 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $81,278 | +$11,122 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 33,600 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $65,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $92,593 equivalent). El Paso, 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.