Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$138,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$79,769 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$66,851 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000▲ | $138,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000▲ | $102,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $182,000▲ | $182,000 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $227,000▲ | $227,000 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,769 | $85,185▲ | -$5,416 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,653 | $121,136▲ | -$5,483 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,851 | $74,775▲ | -$7,924 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 8,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $0 more (median: $138,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($79,769 vs $85,185 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.