Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$136,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$104,615 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$88,206 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000 | $150,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720 | $115,500▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080 | $192,000▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600 | $240,000▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,615▲ | $92,593 | +$12,022 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,668 | $131,670▲ | -$17,002 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,206▲ | $81,278 | +$6,928 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $136,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($104,615 vs $92,593 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.