Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$124,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,543 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$67,190 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000▲ | $112,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480▲ | $86,240 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720▲ | $143,360 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400▲ | $179,200 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,543 | $90,323▲ | -$13,780 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,847▲ | $103,488 | +$5,359 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,190 | $83,458▲ | -$16,268 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 30,400 | +3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,543 vs $90,323 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.