Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$255,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$147,399 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$123,530 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $255,000▲ | $252,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $191,000▲ | $190,000 | +$1,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $334,000▲ | $330,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $415,000▲ | $410,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $147,399 | $155,556▲ | -$8,157 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $213,707 | $221,206▲ | -$7,499 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $123,530 | $136,547▲ | -$13,017 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 14,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $255,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($147,399 vs $155,556 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.