Salary Comparison

Security 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
$186,904
/ year
-10%
difference
Boston, MA
$207,034
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$186,904
$207,034✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$120,870
$133,888✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$289,014
$320,141✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$124,916
$138,605✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$128,899
$147,881✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$120,870
$133,888✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$289,014
$320,141✓ higher

What if you move from New York to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$20,130
10% increase
Take-home change
+$13,689
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$18,982
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

New York, NY$186,904
P10: $120,870Median: $186,904P90: $289,014
Boston, MA$207,034
P10: $133,888Median: $207,034P90: $320,141

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in New York or Boston?

The median Security Engineer salary in New York, NY is $186,904/yr compared to $207,034/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 10% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security 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 $128,899/yr in a median-cost city, vs $147,881/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in New York vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $124,916/yr, vs $138,605/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.