Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$125,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$121,359 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$107,090 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $155,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,000 | $118,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $200,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,000 | $248,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $121,359▲ | $95,679 | +$25,680 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,303 | $136,059▲ | -$25,756 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,090▲ | $83,987 | +$23,103 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 42,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($121,359 vs $95,679 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.