Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$44,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$28,947 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$24,260 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $47,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $36,190▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $60,160▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $75,200▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,947 | $29,012▲ | -$65 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,875 | $41,257▲ | -$4,382 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $24,260 | $25,467▲ | -$1,207 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 105,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($28,947 vs $29,012 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.