Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$154,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$82,796 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$69,388 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $154,000▲ | $136,000 | +$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,580▲ | $104,720 | +$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,120▲ | $174,080 | +$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $246,400▲ | $217,600 | +$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,796 | $83,951▲ | -$1,155 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,062▲ | $119,381 | +$9,681 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,388 | $73,692▲ | -$4,304 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 33,600 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $154,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($82,796 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.