Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$163,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$87,166 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$75,024 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $163,000▲ | $150,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,510▲ | $115,500 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $208,640▲ | $192,000 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,800▲ | $240,000 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,166 | $92,593▲ | -$5,427 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $140,295▲ | $131,670 | +$8,625 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,024 | $81,278▲ | -$6,254 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 33,600 | +20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $163,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($87,166 vs $92,593 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.