Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Bangalore

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

Boston, MA
$202,539
/ year
+871%
difference
Bangalore
$20,862
/ 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
Bangalore
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$202,539✓ higher
$20,862
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$130,981✓ higher
$13,842
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$313,191✓ higher
$31,443
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$135,548✓ higher
$17,107
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,671✓ higher
$46,360
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
0.45×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,981
$1,148,886✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$313,191
$2,609,769✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to Bangalore?

Gross salary change
$181,677
871% decrease
Take-home change
$118,441
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$98,311
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$202,539
P10: $130,981Median: $202,539P90: $313,191
Bangalore$20,862
P10: $1,148,886Median: $20,862P90: $2,609,769

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Boston or Bangalore?

The median Software Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $202,539/yr compared to ₹1,731,546/yr in Bangalore. Boston pays 871% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Bangalore after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $144,671/yr in a median-cost city, vs $46,360/yr for Bangalore. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Boston vs Bangalore?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $135,548/yr, vs $17,107/yr in Bangalore. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.