Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$141,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$92,763 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$77,742 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $141,000 | $150,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,570 | $115,500▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $180,480 | $192,000▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,600 | $240,000▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,763▲ | $92,593 | +$170 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,168 | $131,670▲ | -$13,502 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,742 | $81,278▲ | -$3,536 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 33,600 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $9,000 more (median: $141,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($92,763 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.