Salary Comparison

Program Manager 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
$159,975
/ year
-22%
difference
Boston, MA
$206,087
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,975
$206,087โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,455
$133,275โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,373
$318,677โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,264
$137,961โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,835
$147,205โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
1.40ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,455
$133,275โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,373
$318,677โœ“ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$46,112
22% increase
Take-home change
+$30,697
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,370
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

Austin, TX$159,975
P10: $103,455Median: $159,975P90: $247,373
Boston, MA$206,087
P10: $133,275Median: $206,087P90: $318,677

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Program Manager earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median Program Manager salary in Austin, TX is $159,975/yr compared to $206,087/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Program Manager 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 $142,835/yr in a median-cost city, vs $147,205/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Austin, TX takes home approximately $107,264/yr, vs $137,961/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.