Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$140,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$107,692 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$90,801 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $155,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $118,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $180,000 | $200,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $222,000 | $248,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,692▲ | $95,679 | +$12,013 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,041 | $136,059▲ | -$18,018 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $90,801▲ | $83,987 | +$6,814 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 42,000 | -22,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($107,692 vs $95,679 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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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.