Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$230,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$176,923 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$149,173 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $230,000 | $252,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $173,000 | $190,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $302,000 | $330,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $376,000 | $410,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $176,923▲ | $155,556 | +$21,367 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $193,925 | $221,206▲ | -$27,281 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $149,173▲ | $136,547 | +$12,626 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $230,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($176,923 vs $155,556 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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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.