Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$32,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$35,955 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$31,810 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $32,000 | $47,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,640 | $36,190▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,960 | $60,160▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $51,200 | $75,200▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,955▲ | $29,012 | +$6,943 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $28,311 | $41,257▲ | -$12,946 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,810▲ | $25,467 | +$6,343 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 105,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $32,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($35,955 vs $29,012 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.