Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$165,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$95,376 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$79,931 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $165,000 | $171,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,050 | $131,670▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $211,200 | $218,880▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $264,000 | $273,600▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,376 | $105,556▲ | -$10,180 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,281 | $150,104▲ | -$11,823 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,931 | $92,657▲ | -$12,726 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 33,600 | +4,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $165,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($95,376 vs $105,556 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.