Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers 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
$65,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$34,946 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$29,287 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000▲ | $57,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050▲ | $43,890 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200▲ | $72,960 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $91,200 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,946 | $35,185▲ | -$239 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,474▲ | $50,035 | +$4,439 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,287 | $30,886▲ | -$1,599 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 105,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $8,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($34,946 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.