Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals 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
$67,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$36,022 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$30,189 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000▲ | $59,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590▲ | $45,430 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760▲ | $75,520 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200▲ | $94,400 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,022 | $36,420▲ | -$398 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,151▲ | $51,790 | +$4,361 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,189 | $31,969▲ | -$1,780 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 105,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $8,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($36,022 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.