HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$112,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$69,136 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$60,688 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $126,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,240 | $97,020▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,360 | $161,280▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,200 | $201,600▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,136▲ | $67,742 | +$1,394 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,314 | $105,597▲ | -$7,283 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,688▲ | $56,773 | +$3,915 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 41,600 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($69,136 vs $67,742 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.