Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$118,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$114,563 vs $97,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$101,093 vs $85,612
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $158,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $119,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $208,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $260,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,563▲ | $97,531 | +$17,032 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $104,126 | $138,692▲ | -$34,566 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,093▲ | $85,612 | +$15,481 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 7,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($114,563 vs $97,531 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
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.