Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Boston, MA

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

Austin, TX
$146,052
/ year
-22%
difference
Boston, MA
$187,864
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$146,052
$187,864✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$94,451
$121,491✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$225,844
$290,498✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,862
$125,569✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$130,404
$134,189✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$94,451
$121,491✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$225,844
$290,498✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$41,812
22% increase
Take-home change
+$26,707
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,785
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

Austin, TX$146,052
P10: $94,451Median: $146,052P90: $225,844
Boston, MA$187,864
P10: $121,491Median: $187,864P90: $290,498

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Frontend Developer earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Austin, TX is $146,052/yr compared to $187,864/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Austin or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $130,404/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,189/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $98,862/yr, vs $125,569/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.