Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$146,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$84,393 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$70,727 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $146,000 | $150,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,420 | $115,500▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,880 | $192,000▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $233,600 | $240,000▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,393 | $92,593▲ | -$8,200 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $122,358 | $131,670▲ | -$9,312 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,727 | $81,278▲ | -$10,551 |
| 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 $4,000 more (median: $146,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($84,393 vs $92,593 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.