Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Atlanta, GA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$189,085
/ year
+33%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$142,705
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$189,085✓ higher
$142,705
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$122,280✓ higher
$92,287
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$292,387✓ higher
$220,668
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$126,399✓ higher
$96,842
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$135,061
$135,910✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$122,280✓ higher
$92,287
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$292,387✓ higher
$220,668

What if you move from Boston to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$46,380
33% decrease
Take-home change
$29,557
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$189,085
P10: $122,280Median: $189,085P90: $292,387
Atlanta, GA$142,705
P10: $92,287Median: $142,705P90: $220,668

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs Los AngelesBoston vs ChicagoBoston vs HoustonBoston vs PhoenixBoston vs PhiladelphiaAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Boston or Atlanta?

The median Software Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $189,085/yr compared to $142,705/yr in Atlanta, GA. Boston pays 33% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $135,061/yr in a median-cost city, vs $135,910/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Boston vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $126,399/yr, vs $96,842/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.