Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$128,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$84,211 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$70,574 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $136,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560 | $104,720▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840 | $174,080▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800 | $217,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,211▲ | $83,951 | +$260 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,273 | $119,381▲ | -$12,108 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,574 | $73,692▲ | -$3,118 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 33,600 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($84,211 vs $83,951 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.