Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer 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
$190,526
/ year
+1%
difference
Boston, MA
$187,864
/ year
Bottom line: Boston offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$190,526โœ“ higher
$187,864
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$123,212โœ“ higher
$121,491
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$294,615โœ“ higher
$290,498
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$127,379โœ“ higher
$125,569
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,397
$134,189โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.40ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$123,212โœ“ higher
$121,491
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$294,615โœ“ higher
$290,498

What if you move from New York to Boston?

Gross salary change
$2,662
1% decrease
Take-home change
$1,810
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,792
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

New York, NY$190,526
P10: $123,212Median: $190,526P90: $294,615
Boston, MA$187,864
P10: $121,491Median: $187,864P90: $290,498

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Frontend Developer salary in New York, NY is $190,526/yr compared to $187,864/yr in Boston, MA. New York pays 1% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Frontend Developer 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 $131,397/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,189/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in New York, NY takes home approximately $127,379/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.