Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$118,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$77,632 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$65,061 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $138,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,000 | $102,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $182,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $227,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,632 | $85,185▲ | -$7,553 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,892 | $121,136▲ | -$22,244 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,061 | $74,775▲ | -$9,714 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 8,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($77,632 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.