Net Income
#10
of 124 cities
$112,775/yr
Current value
#37 of 124
North America
Boston
MA, United States
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Boston compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Boston is 30% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Boston compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$112,775
-$60K (-35%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 31%
Community Insights
NewBoston offers a sophisticated, high-paying alternative to Silicon Valley for software engineers, particularly those in specialized fields like biotech and robotics. While the median salary is high, the cost of living eats significantly into that purchasing power, and the housing market is notoriously brutal with its upfront broker fees. The city excels in intellectual capital, safety, and walkability, but suffers from a collapsing public transit system and a sleepy nightlife that frustrates younger transplants. It is a city of "smart" professionals who value history and education over the chaotic energy of New York or the boom-bust culture of San Francisco.
Resident Sentiment
Current residents exhibit a classic love-hate relationship. They fiercely defend the city's walkability and intelligence, often claiming they couldn't imagine living in a "dumber" or "car-centric" city. However, there is near-universal vitriol directed at the MBTA and landlords; discussions are dominated by complaints about train delays and the absurdity of paying broker fees. Transplants often report taking 1-2 years to feel socially integrated.
Rankings
Top 8%
Pollution Score
#22
of 124 cities
30/100
Current value (lower is better)
Purchasing Power
#37
of 124 cities
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Boston compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Boston to maintain the same standard of living.
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