Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$100,000 vs $124,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$97,087 vs $76,543
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$85,672 vs $67,190
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $124,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $95,480▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $158,720▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $198,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,087▲ | $76,543 | +$20,544 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,242 | $108,847▲ | -$20,605 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,672▲ | $67,190 | +$18,482 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $124,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($97,087 vs $76,543 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
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.