Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$212,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$232,967 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$206,673 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $212,000 | $252,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $190,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $330,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $346,000 | $410,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $232,967▲ | $155,556 | +$77,411 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $188,072 | $221,206▲ | -$33,134 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $206,673▲ | $136,547 | +$70,126 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 14,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $212,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($232,967 vs $155,556 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 5%).
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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.