Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Oklahoma City, OK and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$95,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$110,465 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$97,221 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $150,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $115,500▲ | -$42,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $192,000▲ | -$70,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $240,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 5% | -0.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,465▲ | $92,593 | +$17,872 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,610 | $131,670▲ | -$48,060 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,221▲ | $81,278 | +$15,943 |
| Total Employment | 7,200 | 33,600 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $55,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($110,465 vs $92,593 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% 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.