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