Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$49,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$45,794 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$42,314 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $59,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $45,430▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $75,520▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $94,400▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,794▲ | $36,420 | +$9,374 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,276 | $51,790▲ | -$6,514 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,314▲ | $31,969 | +$10,345 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 105,000 | -35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($45,794 vs $36,420 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.