Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$54,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$35,526 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$29,774 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $57,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $43,890▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $72,960▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $91,200▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,526▲ | $35,185 | +$341 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,256 | $50,035▲ | -$4,779 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,774 | $30,886▲ | -$1,112 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 105,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($35,526 vs $35,185 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.