Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$50,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$58,824 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$54,353 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $95,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $72,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 | $123,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,000 | $155,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,824▲ | $51,075 | +$7,749 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,200 | $79,616▲ | -$33,416 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,353▲ | $42,804 | +$11,549 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 18,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,824 vs $51,075 equivalent). El Paso, 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.