Cybersecurity Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cybersecurity Analyst Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cybersecurity Analysts 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
$144,000 vs $127,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$77,419 vs $78,395
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$64,883 vs $68,815
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $144,000▲ | $127,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,880▲ | $97,790 | +$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $184,320▲ | $162,560 | +$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $230,400▲ | $203,200 | +$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,419 | $78,395▲ | -$976 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $120,682▲ | $111,481 | +$9,201 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,883 | $68,815▲ | -$3,932 |
| 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 $17,000 more (median: $144,000 vs $127,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($77,419 vs $78,395 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.