Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers 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
$150,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$92,593 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$81,278 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000 | $170,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $130,900▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000 | $217,600▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000 | $272,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593▲ | $91,398 | +$1,195 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $131,670 | $142,472▲ | -$10,802 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,278▲ | $76,598 | +$4,680 |
| 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 $20,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $91,398 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.