Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$55,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$36,184 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$30,325 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $59,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,350 | $45,430▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,400 | $75,520▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $94,400▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,184 | $36,420▲ | -$236 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,094 | $51,790▲ | -$5,696 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,325 | $31,969▲ | -$1,644 |
| 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 $4,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($36,184 vs $36,420 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.