Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Boston, MA
$194,041
/ year
+46%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$132,815
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Boston
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$194,041โœ“ higher
$132,815
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$125,485โœ“ higher
$85,891
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$300,050โœ“ higher
$205,375
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$129,769โœ“ higher
$90,873
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,601โœ“ higher
$136,923
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
0.97ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$125,485โœ“ higher
$85,891
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$300,050โœ“ higher
$205,375

What if you move from Boston to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$61,226
46% decrease
Take-home change
$38,896
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,678
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$194,041
P10: $125,485Median: $194,041P90: $300,050
Phoenix, AZ$132,815
P10: $85,891Median: $132,815P90: $205,375

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a iOS Developer earn more in Boston or Phoenix?

The median iOS Developer salary in Boston, MA is $194,041/yr compared to $132,815/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Boston pays 46% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Boston or Phoenix 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 $136,923/yr for Phoenix. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Boston vs Phoenix?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $129,769/yr, vs $90,873/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.