Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Minneapolis, MN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$86,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$77,477 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$66,721 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $86,000 | $105,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,220 | $80,850▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,080 | $134,400▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $137,600 | $168,000▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 162 | -51 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8% | 5%▲ | +1.7999999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,477▲ | $64,815 | +$12,662 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,060 | $92,169▲ | -$18,109 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,721▲ | $56,894 | +$9,827 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 63,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $19,000 more (median: $86,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 162), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($77,477 vs $64,815 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.8%).
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.