Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$102,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$99,029 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$87,385 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $138,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $102,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,000 | $182,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $227,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,029▲ | $85,185 | +$13,844 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,007 | $121,136▲ | -$31,129 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,385▲ | $74,775 | +$12,610 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $36,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($99,029 vs $85,185 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
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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.