Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs New York, NY

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

Boston, MA
$202,539
/ year
-3%
difference
New York, NY
$208,353
/ year
Bottom line: Boston offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$202,539
$208,353✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$130,981
$134,741✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$313,191
$322,181✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$135,548
$139,502✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,671✓ higher
$143,692
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,981
$134,741✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$313,191
$322,181✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to New York?

Gross salary change
+$5,814
3% increase
Take-home change
+$3,954
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$979
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$202,539
P10: $130,981Median: $202,539P90: $313,191
New York, NY$208,353
P10: $134,741Median: $208,353P90: $322,181

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $202,539/yr compared to $208,353/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 3% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $144,671/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,692/yr for New York. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $135,548/yr, vs $139,502/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.