Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$75,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$49,342 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$41,352 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $88,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $67,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $114,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $143,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,342 | $54,321▲ | -$4,979 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,855 | $77,246▲ | -$14,391 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,352 | $47,683▲ | -$6,331 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 20,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($49,342 vs $54,321 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.