Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$73,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$81,111 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$72,586 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $105,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $80,850▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $134,400▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $168,000▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,111▲ | $64,815 | +$16,296 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,327 | $92,169▲ | -$26,842 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,586▲ | $56,894 | +$15,692 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 63,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $32,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($81,111 vs $64,815 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.