Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$148,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$97,368 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$81,601 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000 | $178,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,000 | $126,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $201,000 | $242,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $265,000 | $320,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,368 | $109,877▲ | -$12,509 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $124,034 | $156,248▲ | -$32,214 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,601 | $96,449▲ | -$14,848 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 8,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($97,368 vs $109,877 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.