Salary Comparison

Full Stack Developer Salary:
Boston, MA vs San Antonio, TX

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

Boston, MA
$183,577
/ year
+58%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$116,254
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$183,577✓ higher
$116,254
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$118,718✓ higher
$75,181
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$283,869✓ higher
$179,766
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$122,654✓ higher
$80,879
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,126
$132,107✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$118,718✓ higher
$75,181
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$283,869✓ higher
$179,766

What if you move from Boston to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$67,323
58% decrease
Take-home change
$41,775
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$981
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$183,577
P10: $118,718Median: $183,577P90: $283,869
San Antonio, TX$116,254
P10: $75,181Median: $116,254P90: $179,766

More Full Stack Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Full Stack Developer earn more in Boston or San Antonio?

The median Full Stack Developer salary in Boston, MA is $183,577/yr compared to $116,254/yr in San Antonio, TX. Boston pays 58% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Full Stack Developer salary worth more in Boston or San Antonio after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $131,126/yr in a median-cost city, vs $132,107/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Full Stack Developer in Boston vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Full Stack Developer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $122,654/yr, vs $80,879/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.