See your real net paycheck in Boston for 2026. Break down federal tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, then view weekly, biweekly, and monthly take-home pay.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Boston median household income: $89,000 · Avg 1BR rent: $2,900/mo
Massachusetts levies a state income tax (5% to 9%) that comes out of every Boston paycheck on top of federal tax and FICA. Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax rate with a 4% surtax on income over $1 million (the 'millionaire tax' approved by voters in 2022). The state has one of the highest LLC filing fees in the nation.
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Take-Home | Effective Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,928 | $2,744 | 17.7% |
| $60,000 | $47,998 | $4,000 | 20.0% |
| $80,000 | $61,416 | $5,118 | 23.2% |
| $89,000 | $67,298 | $5,608 | 24.4% |
| $120,000 | $87,523 | $7,294 | 27.1% |
| $160,000 | $112,863 | $9,405 | 29.5% |
Single filer, standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions. Estimates only.
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the economic hub of New England, with a world-leading concentration of universities, hospitals, and biotechnology, alongside finance and asset management, technology, and a busy seaport.
| Local Metric | Boston (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 655,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Suffolk County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 162 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $26.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $50.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,900/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,500/month |
| Median home price | $800,000 |
| Median household income | $89,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.56% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
On a $89,000 salary (single, standard deduction) in Boston, estimated take-home pay is roughly $67,298/year. With median household income near $89,000 and average 1-bedroom rent of $2,900/month, housing alone can take a large share of net pay.
Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% up to $176,100, Medicare 1.45%) apply to every worker. Massachusetts state income tax (5% to 9%) also applies in Boston.
Boston does not impose a city income tax. Your paycheck reflects federal tax, Massachusetts state tax, and FICA.
For the 2025 tax year filed in 2026, the federal standard deduction is $15,000 (single) and $30,000 (married filing jointly). This calculator applies it before computing federal and state income tax.
Contribute more to a pre-tax 401(k) or 403(b), use an HSA or FSA, and claim eligible deductions. These reduce federal and Massachusetts state income tax, though most do not reduce Social Security or Medicare.