Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Boston, MA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Boston, MA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$155,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$95,679 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$83,987 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $155,000 | $168,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,000 | $128,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $200,000 | $215,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $248,000 | $265,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,679▲ | $89,840 | +$5,839 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $136,059 | $144,599▲ | -$8,540 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,987▲ | $77,326 | +$6,661 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 68,000 | -26,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $155,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($95,679 vs $89,840 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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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.