Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA

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

San Francisco, CA
$208,801
/ year
+10%
difference
Boston, MA
$189,085
/ year
Bottom line: Boston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$208,801✓ higher
$189,085
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$135,031✓ higher
$122,280
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$322,874✓ higher
$292,387
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$139,806✓ higher
$126,399
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,286
$135,061✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$135,031✓ higher
$122,280
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$322,874✓ higher
$292,387

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$19,716
10% decrease
Take-home change
$13,407
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$10,775
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

San Francisco, CA$208,801
P10: $135,031Median: $208,801P90: $322,874
Boston, MA$189,085
P10: $122,280Median: $189,085P90: $292,387

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median Software Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $208,801/yr compared to $189,085/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 10% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $124,286/yr in a median-cost city, vs $135,061/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $139,806/yr, vs $126,399/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.