Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$47,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$29,012 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$25,467 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000▲ | $42,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190▲ | $32,340 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160▲ | $53,760 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200▲ | $67,200 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $29,012 | $33,871▲ | -$4,859 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $41,257▲ | $38,808 | +$2,449 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $25,467 | $31,297▲ | -$5,830 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 95,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($29,012 vs $33,871 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.