Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors 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
$126,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$67,742 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$56,773 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $126,000▲ | $112,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,020▲ | $86,240 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $161,280▲ | $143,360 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $201,600▲ | $179,200 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,742 | $69,136▲ | -$1,394 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,597▲ | $98,314 | +$7,283 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,773 | $60,688▲ | -$3,915 |
| 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 $14,000 more (median: $126,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($67,742 vs $69,136 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.