Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$147,000 vs $166,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$90,741 vs $89,247
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$79,652 vs $74,795
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $147,000 | $166,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,190 | $127,820▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,160 | $212,480▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,200 | $265,600▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,741▲ | $89,247 | +$1,494 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,037 | $139,119▲ | -$10,082 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,652▲ | $74,795 | +$4,857 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 41,600 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $19,000 more (median: $147,000 vs $166,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($90,741 vs $89,247 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.