Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$104,673 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$96,718 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $138,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $102,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $182,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $227,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,673▲ | $85,185 | +$19,488 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $121,136▲ | -$17,648 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,718▲ | $74,775 | +$21,943 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 8,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($104,673 vs $85,185 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.