Salary Comparison

Software Engineer 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
$202,539
/ year
+29%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$156,912
/ 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
$202,539✓ higher
$156,912
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$130,981✓ higher
$101,474
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$313,191✓ higher
$242,637
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$135,548✓ higher
$105,416
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,671
$145,289✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,981✓ higher
$101,474
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$313,191✓ higher
$242,637

What if you move from Boston to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$45,627
29% decrease
Take-home change
$30,132
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$618
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
Philadelphia, PA$156,912
P10: $101,474Median: $156,912P90: $242,637

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $202,539/yr compared to $156,912/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Boston pays 29% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer 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 $144,671/yr in a median-cost city, vs $145,289/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $135,548/yr, vs $105,416/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.