Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$34,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$37,363 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$33,146 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $34,000 | $47,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,180 | $36,190▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,520 | $60,160▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $54,400 | $75,200▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $37,363▲ | $29,012 | +$8,351 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,163 | $41,257▲ | -$11,094 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,146▲ | $25,467 | +$7,679 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 105,000 | -65,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $34,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($37,363 vs $29,012 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.