Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$215,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$199,074 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$173,846 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $215,000 | $252,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $161,000 | $190,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $282,000 | $330,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $350,000 | $410,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $199,074▲ | $155,556 | +$43,518 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $187,754 | $221,206▲ | -$33,452 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $173,846▲ | $136,547 | +$37,299 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 14,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $37,000 more (median: $215,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($199,074 vs $155,556 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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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.