City Comparison · 2026
Boston vs San Francisco
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Boston = $111k in San Francisco
Metric
Boston
San Francisco
COL Index
✓1.93
2.14
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,900/mo
$3,200/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$3,700/mo
$4,200/mo
State Income Tax
MA
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,736
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.26%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$38,936
$34,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Boston MA | San Francisco CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,248 $3,937/mo · 21.25% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,736 $6,145/mo · 26.26% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,778 $8,815/mo · 29.48% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Boston has a cost-of-living index of 1.93 while San Francisco is 2.14 (1.00 = US average). Boston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Boston is $2,900/month vs $3,200/month in San Francisco.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Boston?
$100k in Boston = $111k in San Francisco. Cost of living in San Francisco is higher by 10.9%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Boston or San Francisco?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,736 in MA (Boston) and $73,198 in CA (San Francisco). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $38,936 in Boston vs $34,798 in San Francisco.
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