Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Raleigh, NC 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
✓ Raleigh, NC
$208,738 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$184,194 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | 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 | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $208,738▲ | $155,556 | +$53,182 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $189,720 | $221,206▲ | -$31,486 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $184,194▲ | $136,547 | +$47,647 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC 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 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($208,738 vs $155,556 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.