College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$96,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$51,613 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$43,255 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000▲ | $85,000 | +$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920▲ | $65,450 | +$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880▲ | $108,800 | +$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600▲ | $136,000 | +$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,613 | $52,469▲ | -$856 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,455▲ | $74,613 | +$5,842 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,255 | $46,057▲ | -$2,802 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 63,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $11,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($51,613 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.