Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$75,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$60,484 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$55,887 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $95,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $72,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $123,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $155,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,484▲ | $51,075 | +$9,409 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $79,616▲ | -$10,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,887▲ | $42,804 | +$13,083 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 18,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($60,484 vs $51,075 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.