Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$48,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$46,602 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$41,122 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $59,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $45,430▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $75,520▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $94,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $46,602▲ | $36,420 | +$10,182 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $42,356 | $51,790▲ | -$9,434 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,122▲ | $31,969 | +$9,153 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 105,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($46,602 vs $36,420 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.