Salary Comparison

Product Designer 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
$181,196
/ year
+0%
difference
Boston, MA
$180,337
/ 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
$181,196โœ“ higher
$180,337
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$117,179โœ“ higher
$116,623
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$280,188โœ“ higher
$278,859
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$121,035โœ“ higher
$120,451
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,963
$128,812โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.40ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$117,179โœ“ higher
$116,623
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$280,188โœ“ higher
$278,859

What if you move from New York to Boston?

Gross salary change
$859
0% decrease
Take-home change
$584
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,849
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$181,196
P10: $117,179Median: $181,196P90: $280,188
Boston, MA$180,337
P10: $116,623Median: $180,337P90: $278,859

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Product Designer earn more in New York or Boston?

The median Product Designer salary in New York, NY is $181,196/yr compared to $180,337/yr in Boston, MA. New York pays 0% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Product Designer 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 $124,963/yr in a median-cost city, vs $128,812/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Product Designer in New York, NY takes home approximately $121,035/yr, vs $120,451/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.