Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Boston, MA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Boston, MA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$59,000 vs $64,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$36,420 vs $34,225
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$31,969 vs $29,457
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000 | $64,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430 | $49,280▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520 | $81,920▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400 | $102,400▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,420▲ | $34,225 | +$2,195 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $51,790 | $55,085▲ | -$3,295 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,969▲ | $29,457 | +$2,512 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 170,000 | -65,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $5,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $64,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($36,420 vs $34,225 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.