Salary Comparison

Network 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
$156,625
/ year
+5%
difference
Boston, MA
$148,828
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$156,625โœ“ higher
$148,828
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$101,289โœ“ higher
$96,246
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$242,193โœ“ higher
$230,136
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$105,243โœ“ higher
$100,537
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$108,017โœ“ higher
$106,306
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.40ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$101,289โœ“ higher
$96,246
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$242,193โœ“ higher
$230,136

What if you move from New York to Boston?

Gross salary change
$7,797
5% decrease
Take-home change
$4,706
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,711
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$156,625
P10: $101,289Median: $156,625P90: $242,193
Boston, MA$148,828
P10: $96,246Median: $148,828P90: $230,136

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Network Engineer earn more in New York or Boston?

The median Network Engineer salary in New York, NY is $156,625/yr compared to $148,828/yr in Boston, MA. New York pays 5% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Network 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 $108,017/yr in a median-cost city, vs $106,306/yr for Boston. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $105,243/yr, vs $100,537/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.