Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer 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
$189,852
/ year
-15%
difference
Boston, MA
$222,139
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$189,852
$222,139✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$122,776
$143,656✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$293,573
$343,499✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$126,921
$148,876✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$169,511✓ higher
$158,671
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$122,776
$143,656✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$293,573
$343,499✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$32,287
15% increase
Take-home change
+$21,955
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$10,840
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$189,852
P10: $122,776Median: $189,852P90: $293,573
Boston, MA$222,139
P10: $143,656Median: $222,139P90: $343,499

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $189,852/yr compared to $222,139/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer 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 $169,511/yr in a median-cost city, vs $158,671/yr for Boston. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $126,921/yr, vs $148,876/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.