Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$115,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$70,988 vs $60,215
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$62,313 vs $50,465
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000▲ | $112,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000▲ | $82,000 | +$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,000▲ | $148,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $190,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988▲ | $60,215 | +$10,773 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,947▲ | $93,864 | +$7,083 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,313▲ | $50,465 | +$11,848 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 14,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $60,215 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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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.