Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$145,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$95,395 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$79,947 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $155,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000 | $118,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $200,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,000 | $248,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395 | $95,679▲ | -$284 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,520 | $136,059▲ | -$14,539 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,947 | $83,987▲ | -$4,040 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 42,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($95,395 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.