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