Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$155,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$95,679 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$83,987 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $155,000 | $175,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,000 | $135,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $200,000 | $225,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $248,000 | $280,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,679▲ | $94,086 | +$1,593 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $136,059 | $146,662▲ | -$10,603 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,987▲ | $78,851 | +$5,136 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 52,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $155,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($95,679 vs $94,086 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.