Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects 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
$166,000 vs $147,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$89,247 vs $90,741
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$74,795 vs $79,652
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $166,000▲ | $147,000 | +$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,820▲ | $113,190 | +$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $212,480▲ | $188,160 | +$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $265,600▲ | $235,200 | +$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,247 | $90,741▲ | -$1,494 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $139,119▲ | $129,037 | +$10,082 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,795 | $79,652▲ | -$4,857 |
| 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 $19,000 more (median: $166,000 vs $147,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($89,247 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.