Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$65,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$73,034 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$64,615 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $93,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $71,610▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $119,040▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $148,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,034▲ | $57,407 | +$15,627 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,507 | $81,635▲ | -$24,128 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,615▲ | $50,392 | +$14,223 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 63,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $28,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($73,034 vs $57,407 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.