Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$43,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$47,253 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$41,920 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $59,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $45,430▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $75,520▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $94,400▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,253▲ | $36,420 | +$10,833 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,147 | $51,790▲ | -$13,643 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,920▲ | $31,969 | +$9,951 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 105,000 | -65,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($47,253 vs $36,420 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.