Salary Comparison

Android Developer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Los Angeles, CA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$183,080
/ year
-3%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$189,558
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$183,080
$189,558✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$118,397
$122,586✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$283,101
$293,118✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$122,316
$126,721✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$130,771
$137,361✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$118,397
$122,586✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$283,101
$293,118✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$6,478
3% increase
Take-home change
+$4,405
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$6,590
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$183,080
P10: $118,397Median: $183,080P90: $283,101
Los Angeles, CA$189,558
P10: $122,586Median: $189,558P90: $293,118

More Android Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Android Developer earn more in Boston or Los Angeles?

The median Android Developer salary in Boston, MA is $183,080/yr compared to $189,558/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Android Developer salary worth more in Boston or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $130,771/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,361/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Android Developer in Boston vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Android Developer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $122,316/yr, vs $126,721/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.