Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$93,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$57,407 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$50,392 vs $62,594
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000▲ | $84,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,610▲ | $64,680 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,040▲ | $107,520 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,800▲ | $134,400 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,407 | $67,742▲ | -$10,335 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,635▲ | $77,616 | +$4,019 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,392 | $62,594▲ | -$12,202 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 57,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $9,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($57,407 vs $67,742 equivalent). Austin, 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.