Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$150,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$86,705 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$72,665 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000 | $155,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,000 | $118,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $195,000 | $200,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $242,000 | $248,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,705 | $95,679▲ | -$8,974 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,710 | $136,059▲ | -$10,349 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,665 | $83,987▲ | -$11,322 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 42,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($86,705 vs $95,679 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.