Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers 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
$193,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$103,763 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$86,961 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $193,000▲ | $171,000 | +$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $148,610▲ | $131,670 | +$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $247,040▲ | $218,880 | +$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $308,800▲ | $273,600 | +$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,763 | $105,556▲ | -$1,793 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $161,747▲ | $150,104 | +$11,643 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $86,961 | $92,657▲ | -$5,696 |
| 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 $22,000 more (median: $193,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($103,763 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.