Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Boston, MA

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

Toronto
$151,781
/ year
-32%
difference
Boston, MA
$221,765
/ 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
Toronto
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,781
$221,765โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$98,156
$143,414โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,702
$342,920โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,104
$148,622โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,425
$158,404โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
1.40ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$133,492
$143,414โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$319,195
$342,920โœ“ higher

What if you move from Toronto to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$69,984
32% increase
Take-home change
+$54,518
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$36,979
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

Toronto$151,781
P10: $133,492Median: $151,781P90: $319,195
Boston, MA$221,765
P10: $143,414Median: $221,765P90: $342,920

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Security Engineer earn more in Toronto or Boston?

The median Security Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$206,422/yr compared to $221,765/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 32% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Security Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $121,425/yr in a median-cost city, vs $158,404/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Toronto vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $94,104/yr, vs $148,622/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.