Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Boston, MA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

New York, NY
$165,248
/ year
-9%
difference
Boston, MA
$181,391
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$165,248
$181,391✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$106,865
$117,305✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$255,527
$280,489✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$110,447
$121,167✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$113,964
$129,565✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$106,865
$117,305✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$255,527
$280,489✓ higher

What if you move from New York to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$16,143
9% increase
Take-home change
+$10,720
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$15,601
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

New York, NY$165,248
P10: $106,865Median: $165,248P90: $255,527
Boston, MA$181,391
P10: $117,305Median: $181,391P90: $280,489

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in New York or Boston?

The median Data Engineer salary in New York, NY is $165,248/yr compared to $181,391/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 9% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in New York or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $113,964/yr in a median-cost city, vs $129,565/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in New York vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $110,447/yr, vs $121,167/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.