Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$245,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$161,184 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$135,084 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $245,000 | $252,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $184,000 | $190,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $320,000 | $330,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $398,000 | $410,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $161,184▲ | $155,556 | +$5,628 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $205,327 | $221,206▲ | -$15,879 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $135,084 | $136,547▲ | -$1,463 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $245,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($161,184 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.