Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$220,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$205,607 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$189,981 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $220,000 | $252,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,000 | $190,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $288,000 | $330,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $358,000 | $410,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $205,607▲ | $155,556 | +$50,051 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $203,280 | $221,206▲ | -$17,926 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $189,981▲ | $136,547 | +$53,434 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 14,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $32,000 more (median: $220,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($205,607 vs $155,556 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.