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What does a Software Developers salary really buy you in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Software Developers earning $165,210 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $151,014 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $102,810 | $93,976 | $-8,833 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $131,370 | $120,082 | $-11,287 |
| Median (P50) | $165,210 | $151,014 | $-14,195 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $190,280 | $173,930 | $-16,349 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $213,970 | $195,585 | $-18,384 |
While $165,210 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $151,014. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Software Developers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $165,210 median salary translates to $151,015 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Software Developers.
Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Software Developers, Massachusetts places #4 of 50 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.
Where does Software Developers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #4 out of 50 states for Software Developers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Software Developers take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Software Developers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $165,210 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $151,014 — a -8.6% difference.
Massachusetts's cost of living is 9.4% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Massachusetts is 109.4 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Software Developers in Massachusetts: $165,210 x (100 / 109.4) = $151,014. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Software Developers's nominal salary of $165,210 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $151,014. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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