Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$102,000 vs $124,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$95,327 vs $76,543
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$88,082 vs $67,190
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $124,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540 | $95,480▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560 | $158,720▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200 | $198,400▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,327▲ | $76,543 | +$18,784 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,248 | $108,847▲ | -$14,599 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,082▲ | $67,190 | +$20,892 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 33,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $124,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($95,327 vs $76,543 equivalent). Houston, 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.