Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$26,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$30,588 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$28,264 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $26,000 | $47,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,020 | $36,190▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,280 | $60,160▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $41,600 | $75,200▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,588▲ | $29,012 | +$1,576 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $24,024 | $41,257▲ | -$17,233 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,264▲ | $25,467 | +$2,797 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 105,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $26,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($30,588 vs $29,012 equivalent). El Paso, 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.