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Boston vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 108.3 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $89,620 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $66,620 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,778 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $67,717 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $741,868 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $112,484 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 6.6 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 4,917,661 | 4,653,593 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Boston to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Boston to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.068.
| Salary in Boston | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Boston | $53,393 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Boston | $80,090 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Boston | $106,786 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Boston | $160,179 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Boston | $213,572 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Boston and San Francisco
| Job | Boston | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,240 | $38,810 | $39,015 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $162,440 | $193,430 | $150,038 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,230 | $44,620 | $33,464 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $163,800 | $177,240 | $151,294 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $121,820 | $176,900 | $112,519 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $40,320 | $47,290 | $37,242 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $37,260 | $43,260 | $34,415 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $52,880 | $56,950 | $48,843 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,500 | $51,280 | $42,950 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $99,370 | $110,360 | $91,783 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,900 | $48,720 | $42,396 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,340 | $46,460 | $41,878 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $45,640 | $50,270 | $42,155 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,620 | $47,210 | $37,519 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $108,660 | $120,780 | $100,364 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Boston vs San Francisco: questions
Is Boston more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 108.3 in Boston, MA and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Boston?
About $106,786, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Boston or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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