Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$85,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$49,133 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$41,177 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $95,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $72,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,000 | $123,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,000 | $155,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,133 | $51,075▲ | -$1,942 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,236 | $79,616▲ | -$8,380 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,177 | $42,804▲ | -$1,627 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 18,000 | +17,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($49,133 vs $51,075 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
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.