Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer 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
$279,465
/ year
+21%
difference
Boston, MA
$230,461
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$279,465✓ higher
$230,461
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$180,729✓ higher
$149,038
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$432,143✓ higher
$356,367
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$186,411✓ higher
$154,535
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$166,348✓ higher
$164,615
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$180,729✓ higher
$149,038
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$432,143✓ higher
$356,367

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$49,004
21% decrease
Take-home change
$31,876
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,733
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

San Francisco, CA$279,465
P10: $180,729Median: $279,465P90: $432,143
Boston, MA$230,461
P10: $149,038Median: $230,461P90: $356,367

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Computer Vision Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $279,465/yr compared to $230,461/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 21% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Computer Vision Engineer 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 $166,348/yr in a median-cost city, vs $164,615/yr for Boston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $186,411/yr, vs $154,535/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.