Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$42,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$32,308 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$27,240 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $42,000 | $47,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,340 | $36,190▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,760 | $60,160▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $67,200 | $75,200▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,308▲ | $29,012 | +$3,296 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,412 | $41,257▲ | -$5,845 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $27,240▲ | $25,467 | +$1,773 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 105,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $42,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($32,308 vs $29,012 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.