Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$138,000 vs $147,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$90,789 vs $90,741
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$76,088 vs $79,652
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $147,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,260 | $113,190▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $176,640 | $188,160▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $220,800 | $235,200▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,789▲ | $90,741 | +$48 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,653 | $129,037▲ | -$13,384 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,088 | $79,652▲ | -$3,564 |
| 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 $9,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $147,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($90,789 vs $90,741 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.