Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA

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

Seattle, WA
$202,359
/ year
0%
difference
Boston, MA
$202,539
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$202,359
$202,539✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$130,865
$130,981✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$312,912
$313,191✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$135,426
$135,548✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,506
$144,671✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,865
$130,981✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$312,912
$313,191✓ higher

What if you move from Seattle to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$180
0% increase
Take-home change
+$122
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,165
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

Seattle, WA$202,359
P10: $130,865Median: $202,359P90: $312,912
Boston, MA$202,539
P10: $130,981Median: $202,539P90: $313,191

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

Seattle vs New YorkSeattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs HoustonSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs PhiladelphiaAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $202,359/yr compared to $202,539/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 0% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $142,506/yr in a median-cost city, vs $144,671/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $135,426/yr, vs $135,548/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.