Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Oklahoma City, OK and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$98,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$113,953 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$100,292 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $155,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000 | $118,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,000 | $200,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,000 | $248,000▲ | -$92,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 5% | -0.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $113,953▲ | $95,679 | +$18,274 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,251 | $136,059▲ | -$49,808 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $100,292▲ | $83,987 | +$16,305 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 42,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $57,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($113,953 vs $95,679 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% 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.