Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Boston, MA vs Houston, TX

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

Boston, MA
$123,203
/ year
+39%
difference
Houston, TX
$88,608
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,203✓ higher
$88,608
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,675✓ higher
$57,302
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,512✓ higher
$137,017
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$85,073✓ higher
$64,194
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,002
$90,416✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,675✓ higher
$57,302
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,512✓ higher
$137,017

What if you move from Boston to Houston?

Gross salary change
$34,595
39% decrease
Take-home change
$20,879
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,414
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$123,203
P10: $79,675Median: $123,203P90: $190,512
Houston, TX$88,608
P10: $57,302Median: $88,608P90: $137,017

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Boston or Houston?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Boston, MA is $123,203/yr compared to $88,608/yr in Houston, TX. Boston pays 39% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Boston or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $88,002/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,416/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Boston vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Boston, MA takes home approximately $85,073/yr, vs $64,194/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.