Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Boston, MA
$194,041
/ year
+29%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$150,308
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$194,041✓ higher
$150,308
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$125,485✓ higher
$97,203
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$300,050✓ higher
$232,425
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$129,769✓ higher
$101,430
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,601
$139,174✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$125,485✓ higher
$97,203
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$300,050✓ higher
$232,425

What if you move from Boston to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$43,733
29% decrease
Take-home change
$28,339
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$573
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$194,041
P10: $125,485Median: $194,041P90: $300,050
Philadelphia, PA$150,308
P10: $97,203Median: $150,308P90: $232,425

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a iOS Developer earn more in Boston or Philadelphia?

The median iOS Developer salary in Boston, MA is $194,041/yr compared to $150,308/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Boston pays 29% more in gross terms.

▶Is a iOS Developer salary worth more in Boston or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $138,601/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,174/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $129,769/yr, vs $101,430/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.