Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$86,667 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$77,558 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $112,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060 | $86,240▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840 | $143,360▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800 | $179,200▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,667▲ | $69,136 | +$17,531 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,802 | $98,314▲ | -$28,512 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,558▲ | $60,688 | +$16,870 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 33,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $34,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($86,667 vs $69,136 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.