Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network 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
$119,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$63,978 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$53,618 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000▲ | $105,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630▲ | $80,850 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320▲ | $134,400 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400▲ | $168,000 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,978 | $64,815▲ | -$837 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,730▲ | $92,169 | +$7,561 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,618 | $56,894▲ | -$3,276 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 63,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($63,978 vs $64,815 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.