Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst 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
$155,208
/ year
+22%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$126,703
/ year
Bottom line: Boston 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
$155,208✓ higher
$126,703
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,372✓ higher
$81,938
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,002✓ higher
$195,924
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,388✓ higher
$87,185
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$110,863✓ higher
$91,814
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,372✓ higher
$81,938
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,002✓ higher
$195,924

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$28,505
22% decrease
Take-home change
$17,203
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$19,049
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$155,208
P10: $100,372Median: $155,208P90: $240,002
Los Angeles, CA$126,703
P10: $81,938Median: $126,703P90: $195,924

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Information Security Analyst earn more in Boston or Los Angeles?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Boston, MA is $155,208/yr compared to $126,703/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst 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 $110,863/yr in a median-cost city, vs $91,814/yr for Los Angeles. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Boston vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Boston, MA takes home approximately $104,388/yr, vs $87,185/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.