Salary Comparison

iOS 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
$181,151
/ year
+17%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$155,067
/ 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
$181,151✓ higher
$155,067
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$117,150✓ higher
$100,281
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$280,118✓ higher
$239,784
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$121,004✓ higher
$104,302
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$129,394✓ higher
$112,367
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$117,150✓ higher
$100,281
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$280,118✓ higher
$239,784

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$26,084
17% decrease
Take-home change
$16,702
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$17,027
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$181,151
P10: $117,150Median: $181,151P90: $280,118
Los Angeles, CA$155,067
P10: $100,281Median: $155,067P90: $239,784

More iOS Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median iOS Developer salary in Boston, MA is $181,151/yr compared to $155,067/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Boston pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a iOS 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 $129,394/yr in a median-cost city, vs $112,367/yr for Los Angeles. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $121,004/yr, vs $104,302/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.