Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Boston, MA
$175,385
/ year
+31%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$134,025
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Boston
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,385โœ“ higher
$134,025
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$113,421โœ“ higher
$86,673
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,202โœ“ higher
$207,246
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,083โœ“ higher
$91,604
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$125,275
$127,643โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,421โœ“ higher
$86,673
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,202โœ“ higher
$207,246

What if you move from Boston to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$41,360
31% decrease
Take-home change
$25,479
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,368
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$175,385
P10: $113,421Median: $175,385P90: $271,202
Atlanta, GA$134,025
P10: $86,673Median: $134,025P90: $207,246

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Frontend Developer earn more in Boston or Atlanta?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Boston, MA is $175,385/yr compared to $134,025/yr in Atlanta, GA. Boston pays 31% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Boston or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $125,275/yr in a median-cost city, vs $127,643/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in Boston vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $117,083/yr, vs $91,604/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.