Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$205,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$230,337 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$203,787 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $205,000 | $252,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $154,000 | $190,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $268,000 | $330,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $334,000 | $410,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $230,337▲ | $155,556 | +$74,781 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $181,370 | $221,206▲ | -$39,836 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,787▲ | $136,547 | +$67,240 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $47,000 more (median: $205,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($230,337 vs $155,556 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.