Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$95,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$62,500 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$52,379 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $115,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $85,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,000 | $152,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $159,000 | $195,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,500 | $70,988▲ | -$8,488 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,616 | $100,947▲ | -$21,331 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,379 | $62,313▲ | -$9,934 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 16,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($62,500 vs $70,988 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.