Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Dallas, 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
✓ Dallas, TX
$66,964 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$61,875 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, 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 | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,964▲ | $51,075 | +$15,889 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $79,616▲ | -$10,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,875▲ | $42,804 | +$19,071 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 18,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, 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 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($66,964 vs $51,075 equivalent). Dallas, 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.