Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$74,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$69,159 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$63,903 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $95,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $72,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $123,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,000 | $155,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,159▲ | $51,075 | +$18,084 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,376 | $79,616▲ | -$11,240 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,903▲ | $42,804 | +$21,099 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 18,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $21,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($69,159 vs $51,075 equivalent). Houston, 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.