Salary Comparison

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA

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

San Francisco, CA
$175,494
/ year
+24%
difference
Boston, MA
$141,407
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,494โœ“ higher
$141,407
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$113,491โœ“ higher
$91,447
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,370โœ“ higher
$218,661
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,158โœ“ higher
$96,059
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,461โœ“ higher
$101,005
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68ร—
1.40ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,491โœ“ higher
$91,447
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,370โœ“ higher
$218,661

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$34,087
24% decrease
Take-home change
$21,099
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,456
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

San Francisco, CA$175,494
P10: $113,491Median: $175,494P90: $271,370
Boston, MA$141,407
P10: $91,447Median: $141,407P90: $218,661

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Business Intelligence Analyst earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in San Francisco, CA is $175,494/yr compared to $141,407/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 24% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Business Intelligence Analyst salary worth more in San Francisco or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $104,461/yr in a median-cost city, vs $101,005/yr for Boston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Business Intelligence Analyst in San Francisco vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $117,158/yr, vs $96,059/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.