College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$80,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$52,632 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$44,109 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $85,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $65,450▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400 | $108,800▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $136,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,632▲ | $52,469 | +$163 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,045 | $74,613▲ | -$7,568 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,109 | $46,057▲ | -$1,948 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 63,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($52,632 vs $52,469 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.