Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$116,000 vs $124,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$76,316 vs $76,543
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$63,958 vs $67,190
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $124,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $95,480▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $158,720▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $198,400▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,316 | $76,543▲ | -$227 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,216 | $108,847▲ | -$11,631 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,958 | $67,190▲ | -$3,232 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 33,600 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $124,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($76,316 vs $76,543 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.